Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "強がり", "見せびらかす", "見せ付ける", "衒う"
All represent the core concept "show", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
強がり
つよがり (tsuyogari)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
見せびらかす
みせびらかす (misebirakasu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
見せ付ける
みせつける (misetsukeru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
衒う
衒う(てらう)
C2PLUS / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "show" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "強がり", "見せびらかす", "見せ付ける", "衒う" based on context.
- 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..
- 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 "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.
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: "『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。" (Meaning: "She put on a show of strength saying 'I am fine' and smiled, but her eyes were wet.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "強がり" is correct here because it represents "show of strength; bluff; pretending to be tough; bravado" in the context: "She put on a show of strength saying 'I am fine' and smiled, but her eyes were wet.".