Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Show" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "show", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
みせる
みせる (miseru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
見せびらかす
みせびらかす (misebirakasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "show" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between みせる and 見せびらかす.
In Japanese, みせる (みせる (miseru)) is typically associated with "to show" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb.
On the other hand, 見せびらかす (みせびらかす (misebirakasu)) maps to "to show off, to display ostentatiously" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Carries a negative connotation, implying that someone is deliberately displaying something. A literal translation of "show" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "みせる"
パスポートを見せてください。
Please show me your passport.
Bilingual Context for "見せびらかす"
彼は新しい高級車を近所の人に見せびらかしていた。
He was showing off his new luxury car to the neighbors.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "パスポートを見せてください。" (Meaning: "Please show me your passport.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "みせる" fits here because it means "to show" in the context of: "Please show me your passport.". "見せびらかす" represents "to show off, to display ostentatiously".