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.
I plan to make a brief appearance at tomorrow's party.
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.
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.
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.
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.
He made an appearance in that drama.
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.
The main character makes an appearance at the end.
Specifically for appearing in court. Formal legal term.
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.
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.
He popped into the meeting.
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.
A problem appeared.