Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Show" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "show", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見せつける
みせつける (misetsukeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
衒う
衒う(てらう)
C2PLUS / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "show" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見せつける and 衒う.
In Japanese, 見せつける (みせつける (misetsukeru)) is typically associated with "to show off, to flaunt, to display (to impress/intimidate)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Deliberately showing something to others, often with a sense of pride, boastfulness, or provocation. It's about making others notice..
On the other hand, 衒う (衒う(てらう)) maps to "to show off; to parade (one's knowledge); to be ostentatious" (Syllabus Level: C2PLUS) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "show" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "見せつける"
彼は新しい車を友人に自慢げに見せつけた。
He showed off his new car to his friends boastfully.
Bilingual Context for "衒う"
毎日、日本語を練習するために衒う。
Every day, I show off; to parade (one's knowledge); to be ostentatious to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は新しい車を友人に自慢げに見せつけた。" (Meaning: "He showed off his new car to his friends boastfully.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見せつける" fits here because it means "to show off, to flaunt, to display (to impress/intimidate)" in the context of: "He showed off his new car to his friends boastfully.". "衒う" represents "to show off; to parade (one's knowledge); to be ostentatious".