GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜と見えて
Infers a cause or feeling from a visible action or state.
Examples
試験が難しかったと見えて、教室を出る学生の顔が暗い。
The exam was apparently difficult, as the students leaving the classroom look gloomy.
Words used
彼は疲れていると見えて、すぐ座った。
He apparently felt tired, because he sat down immediately.
Words used
子どもは眠いと見えて、何度もあくびをしている。
The child appears to be sleepy and keeps yawning.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
と見えてfollows an inferred state or cause and links it to an observable action or state. - Basic usage:
子どもは眠いと見えて、何度もあくびをしている。expresses an inference of sleepiness from the child's repeated yawning.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Sentence order versus direction of inference
眠いと見えてgives the inferred cause, andあくびをしているgives the behavior supporting it. Putting the inference first does not mean sleepiness was directly established and yawning merely predicted.
- An earlier cause and a present clue
難しかったと見えてexpresses an inference about earlier difficulty in the exam, while the following顔が暗いdescribes the currently visible expressions. Cause and clue need not share a tense.