見かけ・見掛け|みかけmikake[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounoutward appearance
   見みかけ通とおり彼女かのじょは行動力こうどうりょくがある。↗

   She is as active as she looks.
2. no-adjectiveapparent

• Synonym見せ掛けみせかけNeutralA false appearance deliberately put on, derogatory, as in 「見せかけの優しさ」; 「見かけ」 itself is neutral.
• Synonym外見がいけんNeutralOutward appearance, as in 「外見で判断する」; slightly more formal than 「見かけ」.
• Synonym見た目みためCasualColloquial and very common in speech; close to 「見かけ」 but leans more on the visual impression.
• SynonymルックスCasualLoanword for a person's looks; 「見かけ」 is not limited to people.
• Synonym外形がいけいWrittenWritten/formal prose; the outer contour of an object; 「見かけ」 is about the impression of appearance.
• Synonym外観がいかんWrittenWritten/formal prose; the appearance of buildings and the like; 「見かけ」 is more colloquial.
• Synonym姿すがたNeutralFigure, silhouette, or the way someone or something appears; 「見かけ」 stresses surface impression.
• Synonym体裁ていさいNeutralKeeping up appearances, face, as in 「体裁を気にする」; 「見かけ」 is about outward looks.
• Synonym表面ひょうめんNeutralRead おもてめん: the front side of paper, coins, records, etc.; 「見かけ」 is about how things look.
• Synonym容姿ようしWrittenWritten/formal prose; a person's face and figure, as in 「容姿端麗」; 「見かけ」 is not limited to people.
• Synonym風貌ふうぼうWrittenWritten/formal prose; a person's overall appearance and bearing; 「見かけ」 stresses surface impression.
• Synonym見てくれみてくれCasualColloquial for looks or facade, often derogatory; 「見かけ」 is neutral.
• Related見栄えみばえNeutralHow good or eye-catching something looks, as in 「見栄えがする」; 「見かけ」 carries no judgment of good or bad.
• Related格好かっこうNeutralHow someone looks or dresses, also presentability, as in 「格好をつける」; 「見かけ」 focuses on outward appearance.
• Related装いよそおいWrittenWritten/formal prose; attire or dress, as in 「春の装い」; 「見かけ」 is about the impression appearance gives.
• Related外面がいめんWrittenWritten/formal prose, read がいめん: the outer surface of an object. For one's manner toward others, as in 「外面がいい」, it is read そとづら; 「見かけ」 centers on looks.
• Related形かたちNeutralShape or form; 「見かけ」 is about the impression something gives at a glance.
• Related身なりみなりNeutralHow one is dressed, as in 「身なりを整える」; 「見かけ」 is broader.
• Related上っ面うわっつらCasualColloquial; surface only, shallow, with a negative nuance; 「見かけ」 is neutral.
• Antonym実質じっしつNeutralOn the surface-versus-inside axis it stands opposite 「見かけ」: substance, the real essence.
• Antonym中身なかみNeutralRead あてみ: a strike to a vital point in judo and other martial arts, unrelated to appearance. For the inside as opposed to 「見かけ」, say 「中身」 (なかみ) or 「実質」.

For how something or someone looks on the outside, use 「見かけ」, as in 「見かけによらず」. In everyday speech 「見た目」 is the natural choice. For a false appearance deliberately put on, use 「見せかけ」; for a person's looks, 「ルックス」. The opposite of appearance is 「実質」. The remaining words narrow the sense: dress (「装い」, 「身なり」), a person's face and figure (「容姿」, 「風貌」), the look of buildings (「外観」), or presentability (「見栄え」, 「体裁」).

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

1. 外そとから見みた感かんじ。うわべ。外見がいけん。