透ける To Be See-Through

Meaning

Primary

To Be See-Through

Alternative

To Be Transparent

Word Type

intransitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means transparent, so it makes sense that the verb vocab version means to be see-through or to be transparent.

透ける focuses on something being see-through, often because it's thin or sheer, like stockings, lace curtains, or a light-colored shirt. It can also describe something being visible through something else — literally or figuratively — like 模様が透ける (a pattern shows through) or 本音が透けて見える(someone's true feelings show through).

Reading

すける

Explanation

I bet you have a lot of things that you wouldn't want to be see-through — and if they were, you'd contact the maker and threaten to sue (す). You know, your clothing, the walls of your house, so on. Whoever made all this see-through stuff is getting sued for everything they're worth.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 〜が透ける

  シャツが透ける

  shirt is see-through

  下着が透ける

  underwear shows through

  模様が透ける

  pattern shows through

Context Sentences

このドレスは少し透けるから、インナーを着たほうがいいよ。

This dress is a little see-through, so you should wear something underneath.

白シャツに白いブラなら透けないと思われがちだけど、実は意外と透けやすい。

People tend to think a white bra won't show through a white shirt, but it's actually surprisingly visible.

「大丈夫」と言っていたけど、本音は透けて見えていた。無理をしているのは明らかだった。

She said, "I'm fine," but her true feelings showed through. It was obvious she was pushing herself too hard.

電球に銀色のスクラッチカードをかざすと、銀色の部分の下に書かれたものが透けて見えることがあるんだよ。

If you hold a scratch-off lottery ticket up to a light bulb, you can sometimes see through the silver part to what's written beneath.

Kanji Composition

1. 透

   とう Transparent