Translation guide
How to express that someone shows up, attends briefly, or is seen at an event or place, from casual drop-ins to formal public appearances.
To say that someone comes to an event, party, meeting, or place, often with a nuance of being seen there.
Literally 'show one's face'. Very common for making a brief or casual appearance at a gathering, party, or office.
明日のパーティーにちょっと顔を出すつもりです。
I plan to make a brief appearance at tomorrow's party.
彼は会議に顔を出しただけで帰った。
He just showed his face at the meeting and left.
Literally 'show one's figure'. Used when someone appears in person, often after being absent or expected.
彼は久しぶりに姿を見せた。
He made an appearance after a long time.
General verb for 'appear' or 'show up'. Can be used for people, but also for things. Slightly more formal or literary than 顔を出す.
彼は突然パーティーに現れた。
He suddenly appeared at the party.
Means 'drop by' or 'stop by'. Implies a short visit, often used when making a quick appearance at a place.
帰りにオフィスにちょっと寄ります。
I'll drop by the office on my way home.
To appear in an official capacity, such as on stage, on TV, at a ceremony, or in court.
Used for appearing in a performance, show, film, or broadcast. Standard for actors, singers, guests on TV.
彼はそのドラマに出演した。
He made an appearance in that drama.
有名な歌手がコンサートに出演します。
A famous singer will make an appearance at the concert.
Means 'appear on stage' or 'make an entrance'. Used for characters in stories, actors entering a scene, or new products being unveiled.
主人公が最後に登場する。
The main character makes an appearance at the end.
Specifically for appearing in court. Formal legal term.
証人が出廷した。
The witness made an appearance in court.
When something non-human becomes visible, emerges, or starts to exist.
Passive of 見る, meaning 'can be seen' or 'is observed'. Used for phenomena, trends, symptoms.
最近、その症状が見られる患者が増えている。
Recently, patients showing those symptoms have been increasing.
Also used for non-human things appearing, like problems, opportunities, or celestial objects.
顔を出す is very casual and implies a brief, often informal appearance. 姿を見せる is more about physically showing up after an absence or when expected, and can be used in slightly more formal contexts.
彼は会議に顔を出した。
He popped into the meeting.
彼は会議に姿を見せた。
He showed up at the meeting (perhaps after being absent).
Do not translate 'make an appearance' literally as 出現を作る or similar. Use the appropriate Japanese expression based on context.
問題が現れた。
A problem appeared.