が見られる
Can Be Seen
The pattern 「〜が見られる」 is used in formal contexts to state that a phenomenon, trend, or object is observed or can be seen. While it is the potential form of the verb 見る（みる）, in academic and journalistic writing it often functions as a passive or spontaneous expression meaning 'is observed' or 'is found'.
How It Works
The expression 〜が見られる is the potential form of the verb 見る（みる）, but in formal writing, it is primarily used as a passive or spontaneous form meaning 'is observed.'
In Japanese, there are distinct ways to express visibility:
- 見える（みえる）: Natural visibility. Something enters your eyes without effort (e.g., 'The moon is visible').
- 見られる（みられる）: The opportunity to see something, or the formal observation of a phenomenon.
In academic, medical, and journalistic contexts, 〜が見られる is a standard way to report findings. It describes:
1. Trends and Phenomena: Reporting that a certain behavior or change is evident in data.
2. Symptoms or Characteristics: Noting the presence of specific traits or medical conditions.
3. Common Collocations: In academic writing, it is frequently paired with nouns such as:
- 傾向（けいこう）- Trend
- 兆候（ちょうこう）- Sign/Indication
- 影響（えいきょう）- Influence/Effect
- 改善（かいぜん）- Improvement
- 変化（へんか）- Change
In research reports, the past tense 〜が見られた is often used to describe specific results that were observed during an investigation.
Examples (4)
- この公園では、四季折々の花が見られます。
In this park, you can see flowers of all four seasons.
Word by Word: This park-in, four-seasons-various flowers (subject) can be seen.
This uses the pattern to describe an opportunity provided by the location.
- 最近の調査では、若者のテレビ離れが見られる。
Recent surveys show a trend of young people moving away from television.
Word by Word: Recent survey-in, youth's TV-separation (subject) can be seen.
Here, it describes an objective observation of a social phenomenon found in data.
- 冬の晴れた日には、ここから富士山が見られることがあります。
On clear winter days, Mt. Fuji can sometimes be seen from here.
Word by Word: Winter's cleared day-on, here-from Mt. Fuji (subject) can be seen thing exists.
This emphasizes that the sight is possible only when specific conditions (clear winter weather) are met.
- 患者に回復の兆しが見られた。
Signs of recovery were seen in the patient.
Word by Word: Patient-in recovery's signs (subject) were seen.
The past tense 「見られた（みられた）」 is used here to report a specific observation made by a doctor or observer.
Common Mistakes
Using 「見られる（みられる）」 for basic physical eyesight.
眼鏡をかければ、よく見られます。眼鏡をかければ、よく見えます。For the physical ability to see or things naturally entering your field of vision, use 「見える（みえる）」. 「見られる（みられる）」 implies an opportunity or an objective finding.
Using the 「ら抜き（らぬき）」 (ra-omitted) version in formal writing.
ここでは珍しい鳥が見れる。ここでは珍しい鳥が見られる。While 「見れる（みれる）」 is common in casual conversation, it is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing or exams. Always use 「見られる（みられる）」 in professional contexts.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'が見られる', you need to know how the subject marker 'が' works and how to conjugate verbs into the potential form ('can do'), specifically for Ichidan verbs like '見る'.
Related Patterns
- ことができるCan/able to
A more general way to express ability or possibility, though 「が見られる」 is more common for observing phenomena.
Level 2 - Passive form
「見られる（みられる）」 is identical in form to the passive voice (to be watched/seen by someone), so context is needed to distinguish them.
Level 3 - ことがあるSometimes/Have Experienced
Often combined with 「が見られる」 to say something can sometimes be seen.
Level 3 - と言われているIs Said to Be
Another formal reporting structure used to describe general beliefs or observations.
Level 2 - ようになるCome To/become Able
Used to describe a change in state, such as when something becomes observable over time.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
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