Translation guide
The English phrase 'make out' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: kissing passionately, managing to see or hear something, and understanding or deciphering something. It also touches on less common meanings like writing a check or claiming falsely.
To engage in prolonged, passionate kissing, often with touching.
General phrase for 'to kiss'. Can be used for any kind of kiss, but context can imply making out.
二人は公園でキスをしていた。
They were making out in the park.
Specifically means 'deep kiss' or French kiss, closer to 'make out'.
彼らはディープキスをしていた。
They were making out.
Verb meaning to flirt, cuddle, or make out in a lovey-dovey way. Casual.
カップルがいちゃついている。
The couple is making out.
Means 'to embrace each other'. Can imply making out when combined with kissing, but not explicit.
彼らは抱き合ってキスをした。
They embraced and made out.
To be able to see or hear something with difficulty.
Use potential form or sensory verbs. 'Make out' is often translated as simply 'see' or 'hear' with context.
遠くに船が見えた。
I could make out a ship in the distance.
彼の声がかろうじて聞こえた。
I could barely make out his voice.
Means 'to distinguish' or 'discern'. More formal.
霧の中で人影を判別するのは難しかった。
It was hard to make out a figure in the fog.
Means 'to tell apart' or 'distinguish by sight'.
To understand something unclear, such as handwriting, meaning, or a situation.
General verb for 'understand'. Often used with adverbs like 'なんとか' (somehow).
彼の言っていることがなんとか理解できた。
I could barely make out what he was saying.
Means 'to read (into)' or 'interpret', often for handwriting or hidden meaning.
彼女の走り書きを読み取るのは大変だ。
It's hard to make out her scribbles.
Specifically means 'to decipher' or 'make out' illegible writing. Formal.
古文書を判読する。
To make out ancient documents.
To write a check payable to someone.
Standard phrase for 'to write a check'. Add recipient with 〜宛てに.
彼に小切手を切った。
I made out a check to him.
To assert something untrue, often about oneself.
Means 'to claim that...'. Often used with false pretenses.
彼は自分を医者だと主張した。
He made himself out to be a doctor.
Means 'to pretend to be...'.
彼女は病気のふりをした。
She made out that she was sick.
To manage, get along, or fare in a situation. Often used in questions.
Means 'to do well' or 'manage successfully'.
試験はうまくやった？
How did you make out in the exam?
Means 'to manage somehow'.
彼は新しい仕事でどうにかやっている。
He's making out alright in his new job.
The English 'make out' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Each meaning requires a different expression. Using 作る (tsukuru, 'make') and 外 (soto, 'out') would be nonsensical.
暗くて顔が見分けられなかった。
It was dark and I couldn't make out their face.