Translation and Meaning of: 見掛け - mikake

The expression 「見掛け」 (mikake) has its roots in the Japanese language and is composed of two kanji characters: 「見」 and 「掛」. The kanji 「見」 (mi) means "to see" or "to look", while the kanji 「掛」 (kake) can mean "to hang" or "to overlay". Together, these characters convey the idea of "appearance" or "the way something is seen", highlighting the concept of how something is presented externally or perceived by others.

In practice, 「見掛け」 is used to describe the external appearance of things or people. It is a common expression to refer to what can be perceived by sight, but that does not necessarily represent the essence or intrinsic value. Thus, 「見掛け」 is often used in contexts where the internal or true reality may differ from the appearance. It is a useful linguistic tool in a culture that values both form and content, often reflected in popular sayings that emphasize the discrepancy between appearance and reality.

Variações e Uso Cultural

• Importância Cultural: In Japan, appearance generally carries significant weight in various social situations and ceremonies. 「見掛け」 can both enhance and conceal characteristics, depending on the context.
• Social Context: In some situations, the term is a courtesy when addressing changes in a person's appearance, whether due to clothing or personal care.
• Different Applications: In addition to its use in describing people, the expression is also applicable when describing the facade of buildings or the overall presentation of products, where initial appearance can influence the perception of quality or value.

In everyday life, 「見掛け」 serves as a reminder of the complexity of judgments based solely on appearances. The word invites reflection on what lies beyond the visible surface, encouraging understanding and appreciation of people and objects on a deeper level. Japanese culture, rich in nuances and symbolism, often employs this expression to emphasize that what is seen is not necessarily the complete truth, inviting empathy and understanding beyond what is evident to the eyes.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 外見 (gaiken) - general appearance of a person or object
• 外観 (gaikan) - appearance or look of something, often used to describe buildings or objects
• 様子 (yōsu) - state or situation, often refers to the appearance or behavior of a person or thing
• 姿 (sugata) - figure or shape, often referring to the silhouette or physical form of a person
• 風貌 (fūbō) - aspect or appearance that reflects a person's expression and character

見掛け

Romaji: mikake
Kana: みかけ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: aparência externa

Meaning in English: outward appearance

Definition: The impression you get when you see or handle for the first time.

Example Sentences - (見掛け) mikake

See below some example sentences:

彼女を街で見掛けた。

Kanojo wo machi de mikakeru ta

I saw her on the street.

I saw her in town.

• 彼女 - Means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese.
• を - partícula de objeto direto em japonês.
• 街 - means "street" or "city" in Japanese.
• で - location particle in Japanese.
• 見掛けた - means "sight" or "see" in Japanese, in the past tense.