Translation and Meaning of: 見える - mieru

The Japanese word 「見える」 (mieru) is a commonly used verb to express the idea of something that can be seen or is visible. In the Japanese language, 「見える」 is a construction that combines the kanji 「見」 (mi), which means "to see," with the potential suffix 「える」 (eru), indicating a capability or possibility. Thus, the literal meaning of the word suggests something that can be seen or is within the range of vision.

The etymology of the kanji 「見」 traces back to the notion of visual perception. It is composed of two main parts: 「目」 (me), which means "eye," and a component that can be interpreted as "see" or "observe," reinforcing the idea of visualization and perception. The suffix 「える」, on the other hand, is used to form potential verbs in the Japanese language, denoting the ability to perform the action described by the verb it attaches to. Together, they form the verb 「見える」, which highlights the possibility of something becoming visible.

In everyday practice, 「見える」 is often used to refer to situations where the visibility of something is clear and unobstructed. This includes both physical objects and natural phenomena, such as stars that "can be seen" on a clear night or a mountain visible in the distance. It is important to note that, unlike 「見る」 (miru), which is a transitive verb used when someone decides to actively "see" something, 「見える」 is an intransitive verb and describes a condition where the object is visible on its own, without the need for an intentional action to observe it.

An interesting distinction is how 「見える」 relates to perception and visual deception. In some situations, the word can be used to refer to illusions or temporary appearances, where something seems to be a certain way visually but may not correspond to reality. This nuance in the use of the word highlights its flexibility and importance in the Japanese language, capturing a wide range of visual experiences.

Vocabulary

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Verb conjugation of 見える

• 見える - basic form
• 見えます - polite form
• 見えない - negative form
• 見えた - past form
• 見せる - causative form

Synonyms and similar words

• 視える (mieru) - can see (visualization or perception); used for something that is visible.
• 観える (mieru) - to be able to see (especially in the context of aesthetic appreciation or observing something beautiful).
• 見られる (mirareru) - can be seen (possibility of someone seeing something).
• 見受ける (miukeru) - to perceive, to notice; something that is observed or assumed when seeing something.
• 見ることができる (miru koto ga dekiru) - to be able to see (indicates the ability or possibility of seeing).
• 見ることができて (miru koto ga dekite) - can now see
• 見ることができます (miru koto ga dekimasu) - to be able to see (polite form, indicates the possibility of seeing).
• 見ることが出来る (miru koto ga dekiru) - to be able to see (an alternative way to indicate possibility).
• 見ることが出来て (miru koto ga dekite) - can see (indicates the possibility, already in a completed context).
• 見ることが出来ます (miru koto ga dekimasu) - to be able to see (polite form, confirmed possibility).
• 見えます (miemasu) - one can see (polite form for visibility).
• 見えて (miete) - it can be seen (simple form, indicating visibility at a specific moment).
• 見えない (mienai) - cannot be seen (indicates the impossibility of seeing something).
• 見えなく (mienakun) - not selling; quality or condition of not being visible.
• 見えなくて (mienakute) - not being able to be seen (connecting the condition of invisibility with another action).
• 見えなくなった (mienakunatta) - became invisible (referring to something that was visible and is now not).
• 見えなくなって (mienakunatte) - becoming invisible (ongoing action of becoming unseen).
• 見えなくなり (mienakunari) - becoming invisible (continuous form of the change of visibility).
• 見えなくなる (mienakunaru) - will become invisible (indicating the future, something that will become not visible).
• 見えなくなれば (mienakunareba) - if it becomes invisible (conditional, indicating a situation that results in invisibility).
• 見えなくなりました (mienakunari mashita) - became invisible (polite form, stating that something is no longer visible).
• 見えなくなると (mienakunaru to) - when it becomes invisible (indicating a condition or consequence).