Translation guide
How to express that someone or something is beginning to display symptoms, characteristics, or indications of a condition or state.
To indicate that a person or animal is beginning to exhibit symptoms of an illness or physical condition.
A direct and natural way to say 'show signs of' when referring to medical symptoms. Use with a noun describing the condition.
彼は風邪の症状を見せ始めた。
He started to show signs of a cold.
A slightly more formal or clinical expression, often used in medical or observational contexts. Literally 'signs of ~ can be seen'.
患者に回復の兆候が見られる。
The patient is showing signs of recovery.
A verb meaning 'to show signs' or 'to begin to appear', often used for symptoms or emotions. Can sound literary or formal.
疲れが兆してきた。
Signs of fatigue have begun to show.
To indicate that someone is beginning to display emotions like anger, nervousness, or happiness.
A versatile pattern for showing signs of an emotional or mental state. '様子' means 'appearance' or 'state'.
彼は怒りの様子を見せた。
He showed signs of anger.
Attach to the stem of an adjective to mean 'looks like ~' or 'seems about to ~'. Conveys that someone is showing signs of an emotion.
彼女は泣きそうにしている。
She is showing signs of crying.
'気配' means 'sign' or 'indication'. Often used for subtle or indirect signs of an emotion or intention.
彼は緊張の気配を見せなかった。
He didn't show any signs of nervousness.
To indicate that a situation, economy, or trend is beginning to show certain characteristics.
Commonly used for economic or social trends. '兆し' means 'sign' or 'omen', often implying a future development.
経済は回復の兆しを見せている。
The economy is showing signs of recovery.
Means 'tending to ~' or 'showing a tendency to ~'. Useful for describing gradual changes or trends.
物価は上昇傾向にある。
Prices are showing signs of rising.
To describe objects or materials that are beginning to look worn out or aged.
Literally 'traces of ~ are visible'. Used for physical signs like wear, damage, or age.
この机は長年の使用の跡が見える。
This desk shows signs of years of use.
Means '~ is noticeable' or 'stands out'. Can be used when signs of wear or age are becoming obvious.
壁のひび割れが目立ってきた。
Cracks in the wall are starting to show signs of wear.
症状 (しょうじょう) is specifically for medical symptoms. 兆候 (ちょうこう) is a formal term for signs or indications, often in clinical or technical contexts. 兆し (きざし) is more general and can be used for trends, emotions, or future developments.
インフルエンザの症状が出た。
I developed symptoms of the flu.
景気回復の兆しが見える。
We can see signs of economic recovery.
Do not directly translate 'show signs of' as 'サインを見せる'. This is unnatural in Japanese. Use the patterns above depending on context.
患者は回復の兆候を見せている。
The patient is showing signs of improvement.
彼女は恐怖の様子を全く見せなかった。
She didn't show any signs of fear.
その建物は老朽化の跡が見える。
The building is showing signs of age.