Japanese word

見かけ

Pronunciation

Romajimikake

Meaning

  • nounappearance

Example

その箱は見かけが小さいですが、中は広いです。so no bako wa mi ka ke ga chii sa i de su ga naka wa hiro i de su

The box looks small, but it is spacious inside.

Illustration for 見かけ (appearance)

More examples

人は物の見かけだけで価値を判断してはいけません。hito wa mono no mi ka ke da ke de ka chi o han dan shi te wa i ke ma se n

People should not judge the value of something by its appearance alone.

Core concept

Describes the impression something gives from the outside, which may differ from what it really is.

Common phrases

  • 見かけによらずmi ka ke ni yo ra zu

    regardless of appearance

  • 見かけだけでmi ka ke da ke de

    based only on appearance

  • 見かけと実質mi ka ke to jis shitsu

    appearance and substance

Similar words

見た目mitame: The visual impression created by a person or thing as it appears from the outside.
外見gaiken: The outward appearance of a person or thing, especially its visible physical features.
外観gaikan: The external appearance or design of an object, building, or place.

Definition in Japanese

人や物を外から見たときに受ける印象や外観。hito ya mono o soto ka ra mi ta to ki ni u ke ru in shō ya gai kan

Word origin

見かけ (mikake) is a native noun formed from 見かける (mikakeru), a compound of 見る (miru, "to see") and 掛ける (kakeru, "to start an action"); the noun denotes the aspect that comes into view.

Usage tips

  • 見かけ (mikake) applies to people, objects, and situations, and it describes an outward impression rather than only physical beauty.

Opposites

Related words

  • 見かけ上mikakeueapparentlyadverb

Word lists with this word