ほら
ほら
interjection
look, see, you know, there
1.
look, see, there
Used to direct someone's attention to something, often while pointing.
ほら、あそこに猫がいるよ。
Look, there's a cat over there.
ほら、早く起きないと遅刻するよ。
Come on, if you don't get up soon you'll be late.
ほら、見て！虹だよ！
Look! It's a rainbow!
ほら、ここに書いてあるよ。
See, it's written right here.
ほら、これ食べてみて。
Here, try eating this.
2.
you know, you see
Used when trying to recall something or when expecting the listener to know what you mean.
ほら、先週会った人、誰だっけ。
You know, the person we met last week, who was it again?
ほら、あの映画、何て名前だったっけ。
You know, that movie, what was it called again?
ほら、彼のことだよ、背が高い人。
You know, I'm talking about him, the tall guy.
ほら、去年行った店、覚えてる？
You know, the restaurant we went to last year, do you remember?
ほら、あそこの角にあるお店だよ。
You know, it's the shop on that corner.
3.
see? I told you so
Used when something predicted comes true or to emphasize a point.
ほら、言った通りでしょう。
See? It's just like I said.
ほらね、やっぱり雨が降ってきた。
See? I told you it would rain.
ほら、だから言ったでしょう。
See? That's why I told you.
ほら、私の言った通りになった。
See? It turned out exactly as I said.
ほら、気をつけないから転んだんだよ。
See? You fell because you weren't careful.
REGISTER: Casual to neutral. Can sound pushy or condescending if overused with superiors or strangers.
NUANCES BY CONTEXT:
- ほら見て: "Look at this" (directing attention)
- ほら、あれ: "You know, that thing" (trying to recall)
- ほらね: "See? Told you" (vindication)
- ほら！: "Come on!" (urging action)
INTONATION:
- Rising: trying to get attention or recall
- Flat/falling: pointing out or emphasizing
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 見て: "look" (more direct)
- ね（ねえ）: "hey" (attention-getting)
- だから: "that's why/I told you" (emphasizing point)
CAUTION: Can come across as bossy or condescending in formal situations. Use more polite alternatives like 見てください or ご覧ください in professional contexts.