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
見せ付ける
みせつける (misetsukeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "show" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見せつける and 見せ付ける.
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, 見せ付ける (みせつける (misetsukeru)) maps to "to show off; to display ostentatiously; to make a show of" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies a deliberate act of showing something to others, often with the intention of boasting, intimidating, or causing envy.. 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 "見せ付ける"
彼は新しい車を友人たちに見せ付けた。
He showed off his new car to his friends.
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.". "見せ付ける" represents "to show off; to display ostentatiously; to make a show of".