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Japanese Versatility List

Looks and what's inside

Core words, Stage 3chunk 54 of 76Things, kinds and amounts

Describe how something looks versus what it really is.

Mix-ups Mitame (looks) and nakami (what's inside) are opposites.

mitame

looks; appearance

Often set against nakami (what's inside, someone's character).

casual

mitame wa warui kedo, oishii yo.

It doesn't look great, but it tastes good.

見た目は悪いけど、おいしいよ。

polite

mitame wa warui desu kedo, oishii desu yo.

It doesn't look like much, but it's delicious.

見た目は悪いですけど、おいしいですよ。

Written 見た目 · みためRank #1964 in 3,030 TV dramas

katachi

shape; form

Also 'form' as opposed to substance: katachi dake = just for show.

casual

kono kumo, hen na katachi da ne.

This cloud's a weird shape.

この雲、変な形だね。

polite

kono kumo, hen na katachi desu ne.

This cloud has a strange shape.

この雲、変な形ですね。

Written 形 · かたちRank #900 in 3,030 TV dramas

nakami

contents; what's inside; substance

Also a person's inner self, as opposed to mitame (looks).

casual

hako no nakami nan darou.

I wonder what's in the box.

箱の中身なんだろう。

polite

hako no nakami wa nan deshou ka.

I wonder what's inside the box.

箱の中身は何でしょうか。

Written 中身 · なかみRank #1658 in 3,030 TV dramas

honmono

the real thing; genuine; real

Real as opposed to fake, or someone truly skilled: kare wa honmono da.

Opposite: nisemono (a fake).

casual

kore tte honmono no daiya?

Is this a real diamond?

これって本物のダイヤ？

polite

kore wa honmono no daiya desu ka?

Is this a real diamond?

これは本物のダイヤですか？

Written 本物 · ほんものRank #969 in 3,030 TV dramas