現実を見る
genjitsu o miru
The English phrase "wake up to reality" can be expressed in Japanese as 現実を見る (genjitsu o miru).
This phrase is used to tell someone to stop ignoring the truth and to accept the actual facts of a situation. While the English idiom uses 'wake up', the Japanese equivalent uses the verb 'to see' to convey the same meaning of acknowledging the truth.
How does it change in a sentence?
Changing the verb to the imperative form 現実を見ろ makes the phrase a harsh command to face reality.
How do you pronounce it?
genjitsu o miru
Did you know?
- If you are being extremely blunt or rude, you might use 現実を突きつけられる (genjitsu o tsukitsukerareru), which literally means 'to have reality thrust into your face'.
- The phrase 現実を見ろ is iconic in global pop culture as the Japanese translation of Madara Uchiha's 'Wake up to reality' speech in the anime Naruto Shippuden.
- To make the command 現実を見ろ even more aggressive, speakers may add the particle ぜ at the end, which is a masculine marker used to emphasize a challenge.
Examples in context
- そろそろ現実を見るべきだよ。Sorosoro genjitsu o miru beki da yo.It is time to face reality.
- 夢ではなく、現実を見る必要がある。Yume dewa naku, genjitsu o miru hitsuyou ga aru.You need to look at reality, not your dreams.
Example conversation
Kenta is daydreaming about winning the lottery without buying a ticket.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、いい加減に現実を見てよ。Kenta, ii kagen ni genjitsu o mite yo.Kenta, please just wake up to reality.
- 健太 Kentaでも、奇跡が起きるかもしれないし。Demo, kiseki ga okiru kamo shirenai shi.But a miracle might happen.
- 美咲 Misaki宝くじすら買ってないじゃない。Takarakuji sura katte nai janai.You haven't even bought a lottery ticket.
- 健太 Kenta確かに。現実を見るよ。Tashika ni. Genjitsu o miru yo.True. I'll wake up to reality.
