Translation guide
The English phrase 'see through' has several distinct meanings. It can mean to perceive the truth behind a deception, to provide support until the end, to be transparent, or to complete a task. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To realize that someone is lying or that something is not genuine; to see the true nature of a person or situation.
The most common and direct equivalent. It means to see through a lie, disguise, or someone's true intentions.
彼の嘘を見抜いた。
I saw through his lie.
彼女は私の本心を見抜いた。
She saw through my true feelings.
Literally 'I can see through it.' Often used when someone's plan or trick is obvious. Has a slightly dramatic or knowing tone.
君の考えはお見通しだ。
I can see right through you.
A more formal or literary term for seeing through a disguise or falsehood. Often used in written contexts.
彼は変装を見破られた。
His disguise was seen through.
To provide help, resources, or encouragement so that someone can finish a difficult task or period.
Means 'to support until the end.' Natural for emotional, financial, or practical support.
彼女は困難な時期に私を最後まで支えてくれた。
She saw me through the difficult times.
Causative form of 'to accomplish.' Implies enabling or pushing someone to complete something.
彼の励ましが私を最後までやり遂げさせた。
His encouragement saw me through to the end.
To help someone get through a tough situation. Often used for crises or hardships.
友達の助けが私をその危機を乗り切らせた。
My friends' help saw me through the crisis.
Describing something that is transparent, allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be seen.
Describes something that is see-through, often used for thin fabrics or materials.
このカーテンは透けて見える。
These curtains are see-through.
The standard adjective for 'transparent.' Used for glass, water, etc.
透明なガラス
see-through glass
Loanword from English, used mainly in fashion for see-through clothing or accessories.
To persist with something until it is finished; to carry a project through to completion.
To see something through to the end; to carry out a plan or task completely.
その計画を最後までやり通した。
We saw the plan through to the end.
To accomplish or achieve something, often after effort. Implies successful completion.
彼は難しいプロジェクトを成し遂げた。
He saw the difficult project through.
Do not translate 'see through' literally as を通して見る (をとおしてみる) when you mean 'perceive deception' or 'support until completion.' That phrase only means 'to look through something' physically, like looking through a window.
窓を通して外を見る。
I look outside through the window.
Both mean 'to see through,' but 見抜く (みぬく) is more about discerning hidden truths or feelings, while 見破る (みやぶる) often implies exposing a disguise or trick. 見抜く is more common in daily conversation.
彼の嘘を見抜くのは簡単だ。
It's easy to see through his lies.
変装を見破る。
to see through a disguise
シースルーのブラウス
a see-through blouse