見える
みえる
to be visible; -- polite verb meaning 来る (くる) --
Mieru (見える) is an ichidan verb meaning "to be visible". Its polite form is 見えます (miemasu), its te form is 見えて (miete), its past form is 見えた (mieta), and its negative form is 見えない (mienai).
Ichidan verbJLPT N4
Mieru (見える) conjugation quick reference
見える means "to be visible". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Mieru example sentences
山が見えます。
I can see the mountain.
昨日は星が見えました。
I could see the stars yesterday.
雲が多くて月が見えません。
I can't see the moon because there are many clouds.
How to use Mieru: grammar notes
•When using 見える to mean "can be seen" or "is visible," use the particle が before the thing that is visible (e.g., 山が見える = "I can see the mountain").
•Don’t confuse 見える with 見る (to look/watch); 見える is passive—something naturally comes into view, not something you're deliberately looking at.
•In polite or humble speech, especially in service situations (like in a shop or restaurant), 見える can be used instead of 来る (to come) when referring to someone respectfully (e.g., お客様が見えました = “A guest has arrived”).
•JLPT N4 level
Common phrases with Mieru
よく見えます
I can see it well / It’s clearly visible
富士山が見える
You can see Mt. Fuji / Mt. Fuji is visible
お化けが見えた！
I saw a ghost! / A ghost appeared (visibly)
Mieru (見える) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | 見える | mieru |
| Masu Form | 見えます | miemasu |
| Te Form | 見えて | miete |
| Past Form | 見えた | mieta |
| Negative Form | 見えない | mienai |
| Past Negative | 見えなかった | mienakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | 見えます | miemasu |
| Polite Past | 見えました | miemashita |
| Polite Negative | 見えません | miemasen |
| Polite Past Negative | 見えませんでした | miemasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | 見えられる | mierareru |
| Passive Form | 見えられる | mierareru |
| Causative Form | 見えさせる | miesaseru |
| Causative Passive | 見えさせられる | miesaserareru |
| Volitional Form | 見えよう | mieyou |
| Imperative Form | 見えろ | miero |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | 見えれば | miereba |
| Conditional (たら) | 見えたら | mietara |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | 見えている | mieteiru |
| Desire (たい) | 見えたい | mietai |
| Prohibition | 見えるな | mieruna |