現れる

あらわれる

to appear (v.i.), to become visible

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 現れる (あらわれる) means "to appear" or "to become visible." It is an intransitive verb, so it describes something or someone coming into view or becoming noticeable without a direct object.

Common Contexts

It is often used when someone or something suddenly shows up, like a person appearing unexpectedly, or natural phenomena like stars or signs becoming visible.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 突然現れる (とつぜんあらわれる): to appear suddenly, often surprising someone.
  • 姿が現れる (すがたがあらわれる): a figure or form appears, often used metaphorically for someone's true nature.
  • 星が現れる (ほしがあらわれる): stars appear, used in natural descriptions.

Register and Nuance

現れる is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies a visible or noticeable appearance rather than just existence.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 現れる with 出る (でる), which also means "to appear" but 出る can be more general or used for things like leaving or coming out. 現れる specifically emphasizes becoming visible or manifesting.

Example Sentences

とつぜん、かれがあらわれたのでおどろいた。

I was surprised because he suddenly appeared.

よるのそらにほしがあらわれはじめた。

Stars began to appear in the night sky.

かれのほんとうのすがたがあらわれた。

His true nature appeared.