見える
To be visible, To seem, To be in sight
Structure
Explanation
Just as 聞こえる is used for things that are 'audible', 見える is used for things that are 'visible' or come into view naturally. Because 見える is an intransitive verb, the object that is seen is always marked by the particle が.
- 私の窓からは海が見えます。The ocean is visible from my window.
- 森の中に光が見えるけど、あれは何だろう？I can see a light in the forest; I wonder what that is.
- スカートが短くて足が見えるから、母に注意された。My skirt was so short my legs were showing, so my mom told me to be more careful.
When using 見える, the thing that is seen is marked by が. However, to describe the way something appears, you will use an adverb. This is done by changing an い-Adjective to its く form, or by adding に after a な-Adjective or noun.
- このケーキはとてもおいしく見えるけど、実は甘くないんだ。This cake looks really delicious, but it's actually not sweet.
- 彼はいつも元気に見えるが、時々病気をする。He always seems healthy, but he sometimes gets sick.
This particular application of 見える will be explained in greater detail in a separate lesson dedicated to this grammar point.
Fun Fact
The main distinction between 見える and 見られる (the potential form of 見る) lies in the speaker's intent. 見える is used for things that enter one's field of vision without conscious effort. In short, seeing it is a natural occurrence. Conversely, 見られる is used when the viewer is actively trying to see something, focusing on their 'ability' to perceive it under certain conditions.
- 雨がやんだ後、きれいな虹が見えることがある。Sometimes you can see a beautiful rainbow after the rain stops. (It just appears in your vision.)
- この展望台からは、天気が良ければ遠くの島が見られる。From this observation deck, you can see distant islands if the weather is good. (Implying you go there for that purpose, and conditions must be right.)
Fun Fact
見える can also be used to refer to a person's general faculty of sight, indicating whether the speaker is able to see at all.
- 私は目が悪いので、眼鏡がないとほとんど何も見えない。My eyesight is bad, so I can't see almost anything without my glasses.
Examples
「この契約書、字が小さすぎて何も見えない。」
'The letters on this contract are too small, I can't see anything.'
「あの灯台は光が強いので、夜でもよく見える。」
'Since that lighthouse's light is strong, it can be seen well even at night.'
スカイツリーはとても高いから、隣の県からでも見えるらしい。
I heard Skytree is so tall that it can be seen even from the next prefecture.
霧が晴れて、遠くの山まで見えるようになった。
The fog has cleared, and now I can see all the way to the distant mountains.
山の頂上は空気が澄んでいるから、街の景色がよく見える。
The air is clear on the mountaintop, so the city scenery is clearly visible.
目の見えない人をサポートする盲導犬はとても賢い。
Guide dogs that support blind people are very intelligent. (Literally - People who cannot see)
生まれたばかりの子猫はまだ目が見えない。
Newborn kittens cannot see yet.
先生：「後ろの席の人も、スクリーンがちゃんと見えますか？」
Teacher: 'Can the people in the back seats also see the screen properly?'
「涙で目の前が曇って、よく見えないんです。」
'My vision is blurred by tears and I can't see well.'
「ソファの後ろみたいな、普段見えない場所にほこりが溜まりやすい。」
'Dust tends to accumulate in places you can't normally see, like behind the sofa.'
道路の標識は、運転手によく見えるようにデザインされている。
Road signs are designed so that drivers can see them easily.
「海の見えるバルコニー付きの部屋をお願いします。」
'I'd like a room with a balcony that has a view of the ocean, please.'