5
見える

To Be Visible


Meaning

To Be Visible, To Be In Sight, Can See, To Seem

Word Type

intransitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means see, and 見える is to be visible, or to be in sight, though it's often more naturally translated into English as can see. It's used when you don't actively intend to see something, it just happens. This verb can also mean to seem, when talking about how you perceive something you can see.


Reading

みえる

Explanation

The reading for this word is the same as the one you learned with the kanji (the kun'yomi reading). So as long as you know that you should be able to read this word as well.


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 目が見える

    to be able to see

    光が見える

    can see light

    山が見える

    can see mountains

  • 大きく見える

    to look bigger

    小さく見える

    to look smaller

    よく見える

    can see well

  • きれいに見える

    to be clearly visible, to look clean

    目に見える

    to be visible

    先に見える

    can see something ahead

Context Sentences

ここから火山が見える。

The volcano is visible from here.

あそこの村人が見えますか?

Can you see the villager over there?

自分が他人からどう見えるのかがすごく気になる。

I'm really curious about how I seem to others.


Kanji Composition