見栄

• Reading: みえ
• Romaji: mie
• Kanji breakdown: 見 (mi) — to see, appearance | 栄 (e) — glory, prosperity
• Pronunciation: /mi.e/

Meaning

Vanity; keeping up appearances; concern for how one appears to others; putting on a show.

A deeply rooted social concept in Japan tied to honour and group perception. 見栄を張る (to put on airs; to act more prosperous than one is) describes spending beyond one's means or misrepresenting one's status to maintain face in social situations. The pressure of 見栄 is often cited in discussions of over-spending at weddings, gifts, and entertaining. It is distinct from 虚栄心 (vanity as a character flaw) — 見栄 is more situational and social.

Examples

1. 見栄を張って高級レストランに連れて行ったが、財布の中身が心配だった。 I took them to a fancy restaurant to keep up appearances, but I was worried about my wallet.
2. 周りの目が気になって、本当は買えないのに新車を購入してしまった。完全に見栄だ。 I cared too much about what others thought and ended up buying a new car I couldn't really afford. Pure vanity.
3. 見栄を捨てて正直に状況を話したら、意外にも周囲は理解してくれた。 When I dropped the pretence and honestly explained my situation, those around me were surprisingly understanding.

Usage Guide

Context: social behaviour, consumerism, interpersonal relations

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 見 (mi) meaning 'to see, appearance' and 栄 (ei/hae) meaning 'glory, prosperity'. The core idea is projecting an outward appearance (見え) of status or prosperity. The okurigana form 見栄 emphasises the performative aspect.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Present

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal