Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "みせる", "強がり", "見せびらかす", "見せつける", "衒う"
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
見せびらかす
みせびらかす (misebirakasu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
見せつける
みせつける (misetsukeru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
衒う
衒う(てらう)
C2PLUS / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "show" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "みせる", "強がり", "見せびらかす", "見せつける", "衒う" 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.
- 見せびらかす (みせびらかす (misebirakasu) - Level: N2): Maps to "to show off, to display ostentatiously" and is used when Carries a negative connotation, implying that someone is deliberately displaying something.
- 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..
- 衒う (衒う(てらう) - Level: C2PLUS): Maps to "to show off; to parade (one's knowledge); to be ostentatious" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus..
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.
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 "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.
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.".