Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Show" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "show", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見せびらかす
みせびらかす (misebirakasu)
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 見せびらかす and 衒う.
In Japanese, 見せびらかす (みせびらかす (misebirakasu)) is typically associated with "to show off, to display ostentatiously" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Carries a negative connotation, implying that someone is deliberately displaying something.
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.
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: "彼は新しい高級車を近所の人に見せびらかしていた。" (Meaning: "He was showing off his new luxury car to the neighbors.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見せびらかす" fits here because it means "to show off, to display ostentatiously" in the context of: "He was showing off his new luxury car to the neighbors.". "衒う" represents "to show off; to parade (one's knowledge); to be ostentatious".