Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "みせる", "見せる", "強がり", "見せびらかす"
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
見せる
みせる (miseru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
強がり
つよがり (tsuyogari)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
見せびらかす
みせびらかす (misebirakasu)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "show" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "みせる", "見せる", "強がり", "見せびらかす" based on context.
- みせる (みせる (miseru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to show" and is used when Transitive verb.
- 見せる (みせる (miseru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to show (something)" and is used when Transitive verb. To let someone see something, or to display..
- 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.
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 "見せる"
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.
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.".