Japanese word

見栄

Pronunciation

Romajimie

Meaning

  • nounvanity

Example

彼は見栄を張って高い服を買います。kare wa mi e o ha tte taka i fuku o ka i ma su

He buys expensive clothes out of vanity.

Illustration for 見栄 (vanity)

More examples

見栄のために無理をするのはやめます。mi e no ta me ni mu ri o su ru no wa ya me ma su

I will stop overextending myself for the sake of appearances.

Core concept

Describes the urge to protect a favorable public image by displaying more status or refinement than one truly has.

Common phrases

  • 見栄を張るmi e o ha ru

    put on airs

Similar words

虚栄kyoei: A desire to be admired that comes from an exaggerated sense of personal worth.
体裁teisai: The outward form that makes a person or situation appear socially acceptable.
虚勢kyosei: An appearance of strength or confidence used to hide weakness.

Definition in Japanese

自分を実際よりもよく見せるために、外見や暮らしぶりを飾ろうとする気持ち。ji bun o jis sai yo ri mo yo ku mi se ru ta me ni gai ken ya ku ra shi bu ri o kaza rō to su ru ki mo chi

Word origin

The word 見栄 (mie, "vanity") developed from 見え (mie, "appearance"), related to 見える (mieru, "to be visible"); its spelling uses 栄 (ei, "prosperity") as an established form.

Usage tips

  • The expression 見栄を張る (mie o haru) shows that this word often concerns maintaining appearances before other people, not simply feeling pleased with oneself.

Other meanings

  • ostentationnoun
  • pretensionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 見栄っ張りmiepparishow-offnoun

Word lists with this word