1.
appearing and disappearing; glimpses
the state of something being partially visible, alternately showing and hiding
木の間から月が見え隠れしている。
The moon appears and disappears between the trees.
雲の間から見え隠れする太陽。
The sun peeking through the clouds.
遠くに山が見え隠れしていた。
Mountains were visible in glimpses in the distance.
2.
hint of; traces of
something that subtly shows through or becomes apparent
彼の不安が言葉の端々に見え隠れしていた。
His anxiety was subtly showing through his words.
本音が見え隠れする。
True feelings are peeking through.
野心が見え隠れしている。
Ambition is showing through.
WORD FORMATION:
- 見える (to be visible)
- 隠れる (to hide)
→ An alternating state of visibility
VERB USAGE:
見え隠れする (to appear and disappear, to show glimpses)
CONTEXT:
Sense 2 is commonly used to describe emotions, intentions, or character traits that someone tries to hide but which occasionally become apparent.