Japanese word

見せびらかす

Pronunciation

Romajimisebirakasu

Meaning

  • verbshow off

Example

彼は新しい時計を見せびらかします。kare wa atara shi i tokei o mi se bi ra ka shi ma su

He shows off his new watch.

Illustration for 見せびらかす (show off)

More examples

彼女は旅行の写真を友人に見せびらかしました。kano jo wa ryo kō no sha shin o yū jin ni mi se bi ra ka shi ma shi ta

She showed off her travel photos to her friends.

Core concept

It describes making something visible in a proud and attention-seeking way rather than simply showing it.

Common phrases

  • お金を見せびらかすo kane o mi se bi ra ka su

    show off one's money

  • 成功を見せびらかすsei kō o mi se bi ra ka su

    show off one's success

Similar words

ひけらかすhikerakasu: To display possessions or abilities in a way that seeks admiration.
自慢するjimansuru: To speak proudly about one's abilities, possessions, or achievements.
誇示するkojisuru: To display strength, status, or ability prominently so that it is recognized.
見せつけるmisetsukeru: To make others notice something through a forceful or deliberate display.

Definition in Japanese

持ち物や才能などを、周囲に誇るようにことさらに見せる。mo chi mono ya sai nō na do o shū i ni hoko ru yō ni ko to sa ra ni mi se ru

Word origin

見せびらかす (misebirakasu) is formed from 見せる (miseru, "show") and the suffix びらかす (birakasu, "make conspicuous"), which adds the sense of showing something off.

Usage tips

  • The verb is transitive, so the displayed object is commonly marked by を (o), as in patterns about showing off a watch, skill, or achievement.

Opposites

Word lists with this word