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watasi ha tokei wo mimasu.

私わたし　は　時計とけい　を　見みます。watasi ha tokei wo mimasu.
I look at the clock.
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Questions & Answers about watasi ha tokei wo mimasu.

What is the role of the particle は in 私は時計を見ます?
は is the topic marker. It tells the listener that 私 (“I”) is what the sentence is about. In English you might think of it as “As for me…,” although it doesn’t always translate directly. After marking the topic with は, the verb phrase describes something about that topic.
What does the particle を indicate in 時計を見ます?
を is the direct-object marker. It shows that 時計 (“clock”) is the thing being acted upon by the verb 見る/見ます (“to look at/see”). Every transitive verb in Japanese typically uses を to mark its object.
Why isn’t there a particle like に after 時計?
Particles like に often indicate location or direction (e.g., 部屋に入る, “enter the room”). Here, you’re not going “to” or “at” the clock in a locational sense—you’re directly looking at it. That direct-object function is を, so 時計を見ます is correct rather than 時計に見ます.
Why is the verb 見ます used here? What’s its dictionary (plain) form, and how would I make it casual?
  • 見ます is the polite non-past form of the verb 見る (a “ru-verb”).
  • Its dictionary/plain form is 見る, which you use with friends or in writing: 私は時計を見る.
  • In casual speech you can even drop 私は if context is clear: simply 時計を見る.
How would I say “I am looking at the clock” (emphasizing that it’s happening right now)?

Use the progressive form ～ている:

  • 私は時計を見ています。 (polite)
  • 時計を見ている。 (casual)
    This indicates an ongoing action (“I’m in the process of looking at the clock”).
Do I have to include 私 in the sentence?
No. Japanese often omits subjects when they’re understood from context. If it’s clear you’re talking about yourself, just say 時計を見ます or 時計を見ている.
How would I say “I look at my watch” instead of “the clock”?

You can replace 時計 with 腕時計 (“wristwatch”) and add 私の to show possession:

  • 私は私の腕時計を見ます。
    More naturally, you’d usually drop the first 私:
  • 私の腕時計を見ます。
    Or even shorter:
  • 腕時計を見る。
Is there another way to say “check the time” with a different verb?

Yes. To express “check/confirm the time,” you can use 確認する (“to confirm”):

  • 時間を確認します。 (“I check the time.”)
  • 今何時か確認します。 (“I’ll check what time it is now.”)