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.
見え隠れ describes something alternately appearing and disappearing — either literally or figuratively.
WORD FORMATION:
見える (to be visible) + 隠れる (to hide)
VERB USAGE:
Used as a suru verb: 見え隠れする (to appear and disappear, to show glimpses). The している form is common for ongoing states.
LITERAL SENSE:
Describes physical objects partially obscured: the moon through clouds, mountains in mist, a figure behind trees.
FIGURATIVE SENSE:
Describes emotions, intentions, or traits that someone tries to conceal but which become partially apparent. Common with:
- 本音が見え隠れする: true feelings peek through
- 不安が見え隠れする: anxiety shows through
- 野心が見え隠れする: ambition is glimpsed