Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "みせる", "強がり", "見せつける", "見せ付ける"
All represent the core concept "show", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
みせる
みせる (miseru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
強がり
つよがり (tsuyogari)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
見せつける
みせつける (misetsukeru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
見せ付ける
みせつける (misetsukeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "show" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "みせる", "強がり", "見せつける", "見せ付ける" based on context.
- みせる (みせる (miseru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to show" and is used when Transitive verb.
- 強がり (つよがり (tsuyogari) - Level: N3): Maps to "show of strength; bluff; pretending to be tough; bravado" and is used when Refers to putting on a show of strength, bluffing, or pretending to be tough/fine when one is actually weak, tired, or hurt. Often used as 強がりを言う.
- 見せつける (みせつける (misetsukeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to show off, to flaunt, to display (to impress/intimidate)" and is used when Deliberately showing something to others, often with a sense of pride, boastfulness, or provocation. It's about making others notice..
- 見せ付ける (みせつける (misetsukeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to show off; to display ostentatiously; to make a show of" and is used when Implies a deliberate act of showing something to others, often with the intention of boasting, intimidating, or causing envy..
Context for "みせる"
パスポートを見せてください。
Please show me your passport.
Context for "強がり"
『平気だ』と_______を言って笑ってみせましたが、彼女の瞳は潤んでいました。
She put on a show of strength saying 'I am fine' and smiled, but her eyes were wet.
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.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "to show" in the context: "Please show me your passport.".