Translation guide
How to express that something is visible, can be seen, or is perceived in Japanese. Includes passive, potential, and spontaneous forms.
見えます。
It can be seen.
彼はそこで見られた。
He was seen there.
Expressing that something is in sight or can be seen.
The most common way to say something is visible or can be seen. This is an intransitive verb that indicates spontaneous visibility, not a passive.
ここから富士山が見える。
Mt. Fuji can be seen from here.
星がよく見える。
The stars are clearly visible.
Literally 'enter the eye', meaning something comes into view, often unexpectedly or naturally.
その看板がふと目に入った。
That sign suddenly caught my eye.
More formal/literary, meaning 'enter one's field of vision'.
船が視界に入った。
A ship came into view.
Expressing that someone or something is seen by someone else, often with a passive nuance.
Passive form of 見る (to see). Used when the subject is seen by someone. Can also mean 'can be seen' in potential form, but context distinguishes.
彼はよく街で見られる。
He is often seen around town.
その猫は誰にも見られなかった。
The cat wasn't seen by anyone.
A formal passive expression meaning 'can be observed' or 'is seen', often used in written or formal contexts.
最近、改善の兆しが見受けられる。
Signs of improvement can be seen recently.
Passive of 目撃する (to witness), meaning 'to be witnessed' or 'to be spotted', often for events or crimes.
犯行が目撃された。
The crime was witnessed.
Expressing that someone or something is perceived or considered in a certain way.
Passive of 見なす (to regard as). Used when someone is considered or treated as something.
彼はリーダーと見なされている。
He is seen as a leader.
Spontaneous passive of 思う (to think), meaning 'is thought to be' or 'is seen as'. Often used for impressions.
彼は正直者だと思われている。
He is seen as an honest person.
Passive of 受け取る (to interpret), meaning 'to be taken as' or 'to be perceived as'.
その発言は批判として受け取られた。
The remark was seen as criticism.
Describing how someone or something appears or is observed to be.
Also used to mean 'look' or 'appear' when describing a state. Often followed by ～そう or adjective.
彼は疲れて見える。
He looks tired.
その服は高く見える。
Those clothes look expensive.
Formal way to say 'appears to be' or 'seems', based on observation.
彼は元気そうに見受けられる。
He appears to be in good spirits.
見える (mieru) is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be visible' or 'can see' spontaneously. 見られる (mirareru) is the passive/potential form of 見る (miru) and implies an agent or ability. Use 見える for natural visibility, and 見られる when someone is seen or when permission/ability is involved.
English often uses passive 'be seen' where Japanese prefers active or intransitive expressions. For simple visibility, 見える is more natural than 見られる.