見せる

みせる
Alternative writings: 観せる
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

To show or display something so that someone can see it.

Ru-VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

子どもに新しいおもちゃを見せると、大きな声で喜んだ。

I showed the new toy to the child, and they shouted with joy.

写真を見せてください。友達に見せたいんです。

Please show me the photos. I want to show them to my friends.

店員が商品のサンプルをカウンターに並べて見せた。

The clerk lined up the product samples on the counter and showed them.

2

To make something or someone appear a certain way; to present an appearance of ...

Ru-VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

彼は若く見せるために髪型を変えた。

He changed his hairstyle to look younger.

その店は安く見せるためにセールを強調している。

The shop emphasizes sales to make things look cheap.

彼女は疲れているのを見せまいと笑って見せた。

She smiled to hide how tired she was.

3

To make something worth watching; to perform in a way that entertains or impresses an audience (often written 観せる).

Ru-VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

あのダンサーは舞台で客を魅了する演技を観せた。

That dancer put on a captivating performance on stage.

監督は試合の最後に観客を観せるための大技を準備していた。

The director had prepared a big move at the end of the game to wow the audience.

マジシャンは手品で子どもたちに不思議を観せた。

The magician showed wonders to the children with his tricks.

4

To have something (e.g., an antique) examined or appraised by a specialist.

Ru-VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

祖父の古い時計を店に見せて、鑑定してもらった。

I took my grandfather's old watch to the shop to have it appraised.

この絵は本物かどうか専門家に見せる必要がある。

We need to have an expert look at this painting to see if it's genuine.

5

To have an injury or illness examined by a doctor; to take someone to see a doctor (also written 診せる).

Ru-VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

熱が続くので、母は子どもを病院に見せに行った。

Since the fever continued, my mother took the child to the hospital to be seen.

頭をぶつけたので、念のために医者に診せてください(診せる)。

You hit your head, so for safety's sake please have a doctor examine it (診せる).

6

Auxiliary: attached to the -te form of a verb to indicate making a conspicuous show of doing something; performing an action conspicuously or theatrically.

OtherRu-Verb

Examples

彼女は悲しそうに泣いて見せたが、本当は平気だった。

She pretended to cry sadly, but in truth she was fine.

子どもは新しいおもちゃを友だちに見せびらかして見せた。

The child showed off the new toy to his friends.

7

Auxiliary: attached to the -te form of a verb to express determination to do something at any cost or to show others one will accomplish it (e.g., 'I'll do it and show you').

OtherRu-Verb

Examples

任せて、必ず成功させてみせる。

Leave it to me — I'll make it succeed, you'll see.

苦労してでも目標を達成してみせると彼は言った。

He said he would achieve the goal even if it meant hardship — he'd show them.

Word Relationships

Antonym
Derivations
Masu-Form見せます
Nai-Form見せない
Ta-Form見せた
Te-Form見せて
Ba-Form見せれば
Volitional Form見せよう
Imperative Form見せろ
Potential Form見せられる
Passive Form見せられる
Causative Form見せさせる
Causative Passive Form見せさせられる