How to say "visibility" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 可視かしCommon
    no-adjectiveCovers visibility in the technical sense of being visible or capable of being seen, as in scientific descriptions of light. It is chiefly a formal, technical term rather than everyday speech.
  • 視界しかいCommon
    nounRefers to the physical field of vision and how far one can see, so it fits visibility in weather, driving, or aviation contexts, as in fog reducing visibility.
    彼かれらはついに視界しかいから消きえた。↗
    They went out of sight at last.
  • 見通しみとおしJLPT N1approx.Common
    nounMeans an unobstructed view or the ability to see ahead, so it suits visibility of a road or vista, and is also the usual word for visibility in the sense of outlook or foreseeing the future.

Choose 可視 for the technical 'quality of being visible', 視界 for physical range of sight such as fog or driving conditions, and 「見通し」 for an unobstructed view or the outlook sense of visibility.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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