Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "ある" vs "見せる"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
ある
ある (aru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
見せる
みせる (miseru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both ある and 見せる are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
ある (ある (aru)) represents "to exist (inanimate), to be (for things), to have" (Level: N5) and typically represents Used for non-living things.
On the other hand, 見せる (みせる (miseru)) translates to "to show (something)" (Level: N4) and is used for Transitive verb. To let someone see something, or to display.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "ある"
机の上に本があります。
There is a book on the desk.
Bilingual Sentence for "見せる"
パスポートを見せてください。
Please show me your passport.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "机の上に本があります。" (Meaning: "There is a book on the desk.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ある" fits here because it represents "to exist (inanimate), to be (for things), to have" in the context: "There is a book on the desk.".