Translation guide
How to say that something is visible, can be seen, or has come into view in Japanese. Covers physical visibility, appearance on the horizon, and metaphorical 'in sight' (goals, end).
To say that something is physically visible or within one's field of vision.
The most common and natural way to say something is visible or can be seen. It is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be visible'.
山が見える。
The mountain is in sight.
ここから海が見えますか？
Can you see the ocean from here?
Literally 'enter the eye', meaning something comes into sight, often suddenly or as one looks around.
ふと、古い教会が目に入った。
Suddenly, an old church came into sight.
More formal/literary, 'enter one's field of vision'. Used in descriptive writing.
船が視界に入った。
A ship came into sight.
To say that something appears or becomes visible, often after not being visible.
Combines 見える (be visible) with くる (come), indicating something gradually comes into sight.
頂上が見えてきた。
The summit came into sight.
町の明かりが見えてきた。
The lights of the town came into view.
Means 'to appear' or 'to emerge'. Used when something suddenly or noticeably comes into sight.
Metaphorical use: a goal, end, or solution is within reach or becoming visible.
Same as above, but used metaphorically for goals, solutions, or the end of something.
解決策が見えてきた。
A solution is in sight.
ゴールが見えてきた。
The finish line is in sight.
Means 'a prospect is in sight' or 'an end is in view', often used for schedules, completion, or resolution.
完成の目処が立った。
Completion is in sight.
To express that something seems endless or no solution is visible.
Literally 'the end is not visible', the most direct and common way to say 'no end in sight'.
この作業は終わりが見えない。
There's no end in sight for this work.
Means 'no prospect is in sight', often used for future outlooks or plans.
景気回復の見通しが立たない。
No economic recovery is in sight.
見える is intransitive and means 'is visible'. To say 'I will see/look at something' intentionally, use 見る (みる).
明日映画を見る。
I will watch a movie tomorrow.
見える means 'is visible' (spontaneous, no effort). 見られる means 'can see' (potential form of 見る, implying ability or opportunity). In many cases, 見える is more natural for 'in sight'.
ここから富士山が見える。
Mt. Fuji is visible from here.
この美術館ではピカソが見られる。
You can see Picasso at this museum.
月が雲の間から現れた。
The moon appeared from behind the clouds.