見(み)せかけ

みせかけ
noun
pretense, facade, outward appearance
abstract
1. pretense, facade, outward appearance
A false or deceptive outward appearance that conceals the true nature of something. Often used to describe superficial shows of virtue, strength, or other qualities.
見(み)せかけだけの友情(ゆうじょう)
friendship that is just for show
彼(かれ)の親切(しんせつ)は見(み)せかけにすぎない。
His kindness is nothing but a facade.
見(み)せかけの平和(へいわ)の裏(うら)で、緊張(きんちょう)が高(たか)まっていた。
Behind the facade of peace, tensions were rising.

Usage: Often used with の to modify nouns (見(み)せかけの～) or with だけ/にすぎない to emphasize that something is merely a facade.

Nuance: 見(み)せかけ has negative connotations, implying deception or superficiality. It suggests that the reality is different from what appears on the surface.

Etymology: From the verb 見(み)せかける (to make something appear as, to pretend).

Common collocations

  • 見(み)せかけの～ (fake/superficial ~)
  • 見(み)せかけだけ (just for show)
  • 見(み)せかけにすぎない (nothing but a facade)
  • 見(み)せかけの親切(しんせつ)/優(やさ)しさ (feigned kindness)

Related words

Related Words

Synonym: 体裁(ていさい) (appearance, format)
Related: 偽装(ぎそう) (disguise, falsification)
Related: うわべ (surface appearance)
general
Added 2026.1.31 20:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09000/09153_misekake