Translation guide
The English word 'invisible' can be expressed in Japanese through adjectives, verbs, and descriptive phrases. The most common and versatile option is the adjective 見えない (mienai), which literally means 'cannot be seen.' Other expressions include 不可視 (fukashi) for technical contexts, 透明 (toumei) for transparency, and the verb 隠れる (kakureru) for hiding. The choice depends on whether you mean 'cannot be seen,' 'transparent,' 'hidden,' or 'imperceptible.'
Describing something that is not visible to the eye, either generally or in a specific situation.
The most common and natural way to say 'invisible.' It is the negative potential form of 見る (miru, 'to see'), meaning 'cannot be seen.' Used for things that are not visible due to distance, darkness, size, or supernatural invisibility.
その星は肉眼では見えない。
That star is invisible to the naked eye.
He became an invisible man and could not be seen.
A technical or formal term meaning 'invisible' or 'not visible.' Often used in scientific, technological, or academic contexts, such as 'invisible light' or 'invisible ink.'
不可視光線は人間の目には見えない。
Invisible light rays are not visible to the human eye.
Literally 'not visible to the eye.' A slightly more explicit phrase than 見えない, often used to emphasize that something is imperceptible by sight.
ウイルスは目に見えないほど小さい。
Viruses are so small that they are invisible to the eye.
Describing something that is clear and allows light to pass through, making objects behind it visible.
A na-adjective meaning 'transparent' or 'clear.' Used for materials like glass, water, or air. It implies that the object itself is not visible because it lacks color or opacity.
このガラスはとても透明で、まるで見えないようだ。
This glass is so transparent that it seems almost invisible.
The past tense of 透き通る (sukitooru), meaning 'to be transparent' or 'to be clear.' Often used for liquids, crystals, or skin, emphasizing clarity and purity.
透き通った水の中の魚が見える。
You can see the fish in the crystal-clear water.
Describing something that is intentionally or naturally out of sight, not visible because it is covered or obscured.
The past tense of 隠れる (kakureru), meaning 'hidden' or 'concealed.' Used for things that are not visible because they are behind something or deliberately kept out of sight.
猫はソファの後ろに隠れて見えなくなった。
The cat hid behind the sofa and became invisible.
A verb phrase meaning 'to become invisible' or 'to disappear from sight.' It describes the process of something going out of view.
船は霧の中に見えなくなった。
The ship became invisible in the fog.
Describing something that exists but is not noticed or perceived, often metaphorically.
The negative passive form of 気づく (kizuku, 'to notice'), meaning 'not noticed' or 'unnoticed.' Used when someone or something is present but escapes attention.
彼はパーティーで気づかれないように隅にいた。
He stayed in the corner to remain invisible at the party.
The passive form of 無視する (mushi suru, 'to ignore'), meaning 'to be ignored.' It implies social invisibility, where a person is treated as if they are not there.
This can sound negative or hurtful; use only when someone is deliberately ignored.
彼は会議で無視されて、まるで透明人間のようだった。
He was ignored in the meeting, as if he were invisible.
見えない is the everyday word for 'invisible' and can be used in almost any context. 不可視 is a technical term used in science, technology, or formal writing. For example, 'invisible ink' is usually 不可視インク, not 見えないインク.
このインクは不可視ですが、紫外線を当てると見えます。
This ink is invisible, but it becomes visible under ultraviolet light.
The loanword インビジブル (inbijiburu) exists but is rarely used outside of specific contexts like movie titles or brand names. It is not a natural way to say 'invisible' in everyday Japanese.