目に見えない
me ni mienai
The English word 'invisible' can be translated into Japanese in several ways, most commonly as 目に見えない (me ni mienai). If unsure, use 目に見えない. Wiktionary also lists 不可視の (fukashi no) and 無形の (mukei no).
Meaning: unable to be seen (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 目に見えない | me ni mienai |
| 不可視の | fukashi no |
| 無形の | mukei no |
| 透明な | tōmei na |
目に見えない is the most common and natural way to express that something is invisible during everyday conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 目に見えない is composed of 目 (eye), the particle に which indicates the target and 見えない (cannot see/is not visible). Literally, it means 'cannot be seen by the eye'.
Which one should you use?
While 目に見えない is used for invisibility in a general sense, 透明な is used specifically for things that are 'transparent' or 'clear', such as glass or water. 無形の describes things that are invisible because they lack a physical shape or form, such as 'intangible assets' (無形の資産). 不可視の is a more technical or formal term for 'invisible' often used in scientific or academic contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
me ni mienai
Did you know?
- While 目に見えない describes invisibility, Japanese has a specific word 気 (ki) for the invisible life force or energy that flows through all things.
- In Japanese pop culture, the word 透明人間 (toumei ningen) is used for an 'invisible man' and literally translates to 'transparent human'.
- To describe something as 'invisible' in a spiritual sense, such as a ghost, Japanese speakers often use 姿が見えない (sugata ga mienai), which means 'one's figure/form cannot be seen'.
Examples in context
- 空気は目に見えない。Air is invisible.This sentence is useful for describing the invisibility of air using 目に見えない.Tatoeba #179373 by KK_kaku_, translation #18231 by papabear
- 私たちの目には見えないものも存在します。There are things that exist that we cannot see.
- 透明なガラスは、まるで存在しないかのように見えます。Transparent glass appears as if it doesn't exist at all.
- あの妖精は見えてないんだけど、友達には見えるんだよ。I can't see that fairy, but my friend can.
- 目に見えないものも大切です。Me ni mienai mono mo taisetsu desu.Things that are invisible are also important.
- 菌は目に見えない。Kin wa me ni mienai.Bacteria are invisible.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about bacteria.
- 結衣 Yui細菌は目に見えないから不思議だね。Saikin wa me ni mienai kara fushigi da ne.It's strange that bacteria are invisible.
- 陽太 Yota本当だね。顕微鏡が必要だ。Hontou da ne. Kenbikyou ga hitsuyou da.True. A microscope is necessary.
- 結衣 Yuiどこにでもいるのかな？Doko ni demo iru no kana?I wonder if they are everywhere?
- 陽太 Yotaきっと全部の場所にあるよ。Kitto zenbu no basho ni aru yo.They are probably in every place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “invisible” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
