1.
appearance, looks, outward appearance
How something or someone looks from the outside. Emphasizes the visual impression as perceived by others, often contrasted with the reality or substance underneath.
見た目は若い。
He looks young.
見た目と味は必ずしも一致しない。
Appearance and taste don't always match.
見た目はシンプルだが、実は高度な技術が使われている製品だ。
It looks simple, but it is actually a product that uses advanced technology.
USAGE NOTE:
見た目 literally means "the way something is seen" and is very common in everyday conversation. It frequently appears in contrast structures: 見た目は〜だが実は〜 (it looks like ~ but actually ~).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 見た目がいい (good-looking)
- 見た目で判断する (judge by appearance)
- 見た目に騙される (be deceived by appearances)
- 見た目より若い (younger than one looks)
- 見た目を気にする (care about one's appearance)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 外見: outward appearance (more formal)
- 容姿: physical appearance, looks (specifically about a person's body and face)
- ルックス: looks (loanword, casual, often about attractiveness)