Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Show" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "show", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見せる
みせる (miseru)
N4 / 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 見せる and 衒う.
In Japanese, 見せる (みせる (miseru)) is typically associated with "to show (something)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Transitive verb. To let someone see something, or to display..
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 "見せる"
パスポートを見せてください。
Please show me your passport.
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: "パスポートを見せてください。" (Meaning: "Please show me your passport.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見せる" fits here because it means "to show (something)" in the context of: "Please show me your passport.". "衒う" represents "to show off; to parade (one's knowledge); to be ostentatious".