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.
To say that someone's lie, disguise, or scheme has been discovered.
Passive form of 見抜く (to see through). Used when someone's true nature or lie is perceived by another.
彼の嘘はすぐに見抜かれた。
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.
Passive of 見破る, meaning to see through a trick or deception. Slightly more formal than 見抜かれる.
手品の種が見破られた。
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.
彼の本心が透けて見える。
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.
陰謀が露見した。
The conspiracy was seen through.
Means 'to be detected' or 'to come to light', often used for wrongdoing or hidden facts.
不正が発覚した。
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.
Passive phrase meaning 'to have one's true nature seen through'.
彼は本性を見抜かれた。
His true character was seen through.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'the mask comes off' or 'one's true colors are exposed'.
ついに化けの皮が剥がれた。
Finally, his true colors were seen through.
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.
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.
The plan was seen through.