GRAMMAR
〜と見えて
seems that
Explanation
NOTE
〜と見えて means apparently or it appears that — used when the speaker draws a conclusion based on visible evidence.
道が濡れている。夜中に雨が降ったと見えて、地面がまだ湿っている。
The road is wet. It appears that it rained during the night, as the ground is still damp.
The clause **after** *と見えて* states the visible evidence supporting the speaker's guess.
NOTE
Use 〜と見えて only when the speaker has observed something (a sight, a sound, a state) that justifies the inference. It is not used for pure guesses.
NOTE
Attach と見えて directly to the plain form of a verb (e.g. 疲れている → 疲れていると見えて).
STRUCTURE
V普
と<ruby>見<rt>み</rt></ruby>えて彼は疲れていると見えて、机で居眠りをしている。
Kare wa tsukarete iru to miete, tsukue de inemuri o shite iru.
It appears he is tired, as he is dozing off at his desk.
彼女は急いでいると見えて、朝食も食べずに出かけた。
Kanojo wa isoide iru to miete, choushoku mo tabezu ni dekaketa.
It appears that she is in a hurry, as she left without even eating breakfast.
誰か来たと見えて、玄関に靴が並んでいる。
Dare ka kita to miete, genkan ni kutsu ga narande iru.
It appears that someone came, as shoes are lined up at the entrance.
Practice exercises
1
どうやら彼は疲れていると見えて、早く帰った。
It seems that he was tired, apparently, he went home early.
Answer
と見えて
2
犯人の痕跡がないと見えて、捜査が難航していると考えられる。
It seems that there are no traces of the culprit, and the investigation is thought to be having difficulties.
Answer
と見えて
3
経営が悪化していると見えて、会社が倒産しかねない。
It seems that management is deteriorating, the company might go bankrupt.
Answer
と見えて
4
部長は不機嫌と見えて、誰にも口をきかなかった。
It seems that the section chief was in a bad mood, he didn't speak to anyone.
Answer
と見えて
5
彼は少し焦っていると見えて、手元が覚束なかった。
It seems that he was a little flustered, his hands were clumsy.
Answer
と見えて