Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 10: 7/18

が見(み)られる
can see, can be seen, can observe, can be observed, be evident, chance to see something

Structure
Casual
Polite
Noun + (1) + 見られる

(1)
Noun + (1) + 見られます

(1)
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
Unlike 見(み)える ‘to be visible’, which focuses on whether something can be seen or not, 見(み)られる (the potential form of 見(み)る) focuses on the viewer's physical ability to see something. Due to this が見(み)られる is used to highlight things that require some form of ‘effort’ to see, like ‘changes’, ‘trends’, etc.
As a result of the ‘effort’ that is required, が見(み)られる is often translated as ‘for (A) to be evident’, ‘it can be observed that (A)’, ‘it can be seen that (A)’, and other similar structures. To use 見(み)られる, simply add it after the noun that you would like to show as being ‘evident’.
  • この部屋(へや)から富士山(ふじさん)が見(み)られる
    Mount Fuji can be seen from this room. (If you look closely, and it is a clear day)
  • 奈良(なら)行(い)、横断歩道(おうだんほどう)渡(わた)シカが見(み)られる
    If you go to Nara, you can observe deer crossing the crosswalk. (If you are lucky, and the timing is right)
As られる is both the potential and passive form of 見(み)る, it may be interpreted either way. However, in the case of ラ抜(ぬ)き言葉(ことば) (ら removed verbs), only 可能(かのう) (possibility) may be expressed, not 受(う)け身(み) (passivity).
  • 最近(さいきん)タッチパネル付(つ)いている冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)が見(み)られる。
    Recently, refrigerators with touch panels can be seen.
  • 最近(さいきん)タッチパネル付(つ)いている冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)が見(み)れる。
    Recently, you can see refrigerators with touch panels.
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夏(なつ)ここクマが見(み)られます
In summer, bears can be seen here.
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キウイフルーツ皮(かわ)むいて食(た)べる一般的(いっぱんてき)ですが、皮(かわ)むかないで食(た)べる人(ひと)見(み)られます
Kiwifruit is generally eaten after peeling the skin, but people who eat it without peeling the skin can also be observed.
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最近(さいきん)技術(ぎじゅつ)地球(ちきゅう)いながらブラックホール写真(しゃしん)が見(み)られます
With modern technology, we can observe photographs of black holes while being on earth.
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