Translation guide
Expresses that a deception, trick, or hidden intention is exposed or discovered. Japanese often uses verbs like 見抜く (to see through) or ばれる (to be found out), with the subject being the person whose act is exposed.
His lie was seen through immediately.
The disguise was seen through.
Casual verb meaning 'to be found out' or 'to be exposed'. Very common in everyday speech for secrets or lies being discovered.
My lie was seen through.
The affair was found out.
Passive of 見破る, meaning to see through a trick or deception. Slightly more formal than 見抜かれる.
The magic trick was seen through.
Literally 'to be visible through something', but can metaphorically mean that hidden intentions are transparent. Often used when someone's motives are obvious.
His true intentions are seen through.
To say that a plan, plot, or scheme has been discovered or uncovered.
Formal verb meaning 'to be exposed' or 'to come to light', used for schemes, conspiracies, or secrets.
The conspiracy was seen through.
Means 'to be detected' or 'to come to light', often used for wrongdoing or hidden facts.
The fraud was seen through.
Also used for plans being found out, especially in casual contexts.
To say that someone's real personality or motives are understood despite their facade.
見抜かれる implies someone actively perceived the truth through insight, while ばれる simply means the secret got out, often without specifying who discovered it. ばれる is more casual and common in speech.
The lie was seen through (by someone's perception).
The lie was found out.
Avoid directly translating 'be seen through' as 通して見られる (tooshite mirareru). This means 'to be viewed through something' physically, not the idiomatic sense of exposure.
計画がばれた。
The plan was seen through.