Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "みせる", "見せる", "見せびらかす", "見せつける"
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
見せる
みせる (miseru)
N4 / 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
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "show" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "みせる", "見せる", "見せびらかす", "見せつける" 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..
- 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..
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 "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.
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.".