Translation guide
The English word "spectacle" can refer to a visually striking display, an embarrassing public scene, or (in the plural) eyeglasses. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Describing an impressive, grand, or dramatic sight, such as a performance, natural phenomenon, or large-scale event.
A noun or na-adjective meaning a magnificent or grand sight. Often used for natural scenery or large-scale displays.
その花火大会は壮観だった。
The fireworks display was a spectacle.
A loanword from English, used for large-scale entertainment events or shows, often with a sense of theatricality.
開会式は壮大なスペクタクルだった。
The opening ceremony was a grand spectacle.
A general word for a scene or sight, often used for something striking or unusual that one witnesses.
それは奇妙な光景だった。
It was a strange spectacle.
Refers to a show or exhibition, often with a connotation of something put on display for entertainment, sometimes with a negative nuance of exploitation.
彼の苦しみが見世物になった。
His suffering became a spectacle.
Referring to an incident where someone behaves in a way that attracts attention and causes embarrassment, often in public.
A common phrase meaning to make a spectacle of oneself by showing disgraceful behavior. Literally 'to expose an unsightly state'.
彼は酔って醜態をさらした。
He got drunk and made a spectacle of himself.
Means 'unsightly behavior' and can be used to describe someone making a spectacle of themselves through their actions.
彼女の見苦しい振る舞いはみんなの注目を集めた。
Her unsightly behavior attracted everyone's attention and became a spectacle.
A noun meaning a blunder or disgraceful act, often used when someone makes a spectacle of themselves through a mistake.
Literally 'to be embarrassed in front of people', often used when someone makes a spectacle of themselves.
彼は人前で恥をかいた。
He made a spectacle of himself in public.
Referring to a pair of lenses worn to correct vision, commonly called 'spectacles' in older or formal English.
The standard word for eyeglasses or spectacles. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
彼は新しい眼鏡をかけている。
He is wearing new spectacles.
Katakana version of 眼鏡, very common in everyday writing.
メガネを忘れた。
I forgot my spectacles.
The English idiom 'make a spectacle of oneself' does not translate directly into Japanese. Use phrases like 醜態をさらす or 人前で恥をかく instead of trying to combine スペクタクル with a verb.
壮観 emphasizes grandeur and magnificence, often for planned or natural displays. 光景 is a more neutral term for any scene or sight, and can be used for both positive and negative spectacles.
山々に沈む夕日は息をのむような壮観だった。
The sunset over the mountains was a breathtaking spectacle.
パーティーで醜態をさらさないでください。
Please don't make a spectacle of yourself at the party.
彼は布で眼鏡を拭いた。
He cleaned his spectacles with a cloth.
公の場での失態は避けたい。
I want to avoid making a spectacle of myself in public.