Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite yet challenging way to say 'Let's see what you've got' before someone performs a task.
- Means: 'I will humbly observe your skill' (used as a challenge).
- Used in: Games, sports, or when someone claims to be an expert.
- Don't confuse: It is not a genuine request for help; it's an observation of performance.
شرح بمستواك:
المعنى
An expression used to challenge or observe someone's abilities.
خلفية ثقافية
In arcades and e-sports, this phrase is a standard 'ready' signal. It shows respect for the opponent's potential while asserting one's own role as a challenger. The phrase originates from the 'Tenami' of martial artists and gamblers. It reflects a society where physical technique was the primary measure of a person's status. While it uses Keigo, it is a 'top-down' phrase. A boss uses it to a subordinate to test them. A subordinate should almost never use it to a boss. This is a 'cool' trope. Characters who are calm and powerful often use this to show they aren't intimidated by an opponent's new power-up.
The Smirk Factor
This phrase is 50% words and 50% attitude. A slight smile or a confident posture makes it sound much more natural.
Don't over-polite
Adding too many honorifics like 'Otenami haiken sasete itadakimasu' can make it sound sarcastic or overly stiff.
The Smirk Factor
This phrase is 50% words and 50% attitude. A slight smile or a confident posture makes it sound much more natural.
Don't over-polite
Adding too many honorifics like 'Otenami haiken sasete itadakimasu' can make it sound sarcastic or overly stiff.
Anime Vibes
You will hear this in almost every battle anime. Pay attention to the character's status when they say it.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the most natural situation to use 「{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}」.
Which situation fits?
It is a challenge for a performance or skill, perfect for a gaming boast.
Fill in the missing kanji for the humble verb part of the phrase.
{お手並み|おてなみ}（ ）
'Haiken' is the humble verb for seeing/looking used in this set phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 「{私|わたし}、ピアノでショパンが{弾|ひ}けるんですよ。」 B: 「へえ、それはすごいですね。じゃあ、（ ）。」
B is responding to a boast about a skill, so 'Otenami haiken' is the perfect fit.
🎉 النتيجة: /3
وسائل تعلم بصرية
When to use Otenami Haiken
Games
- • Board games
- • Video games
- • Card tricks
Skills
- • Cooking
- • Drawing
- • Coding
Sports
- • Tennis
- • Golf
- • Darts
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينWhich situation fits?
It is a challenge for a performance or skill, perfect for a gaming boast.
{お手並み|おてなみ}（ ）
'Haiken' is the humble verb for seeing/looking used in this set phrase.
A: 「{私|わたし}、ピアノでショパンが{弾|ひ}けるんですよ。」 B: 「へえ、それはすごいですね。じゃあ、（ ）。」
B is responding to a boast about a skill, so 'Otenami haiken' is the perfect fit.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
4 أسئلةNo, it's very common among friends as a playful challenge. It shows you are interested in what they are about to do.
Yes! If someone says they have a great idea for a business, you can say 'Otenami haiken' to mean 'Let's see how it works in practice.'
'Haiken' ({拝見|はいけん}) is the humble (Kenjougo) form of 'Miru' (to see).
Generally, no. It implies you are judging their skill, which is inappropriate for a student-teacher relationship.
عبارات ذات صلة
{腕前|うでまえ}を{披露|ひろう}する
similarTo show off one's skills.
{手|て}の{内|うち}を{明|あ}かす
similarTo reveal one's secret plan or hand.
{高見|たかみ}の{見物|けんぶつ}
contrastWatching from a safe distance (bystander).
{真剣勝負|しんけんしょうぶ}
builds onA fight with real swords / a serious match.
أين تستخدمها
Video Game Duel
Friend: このステージ、{一分|いっぷん}でクリアできるよ。
You: へえ、じゃあ{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}だね！
Cooking at Home
Partner: {今日|きょう}は{最高|さいこう}のパスタを{作|つく}るよ。
You: それは{楽|たの}しみ。{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}といきましょう。
New Skill at Work
Junior: {新|あたら}しいプレゼンソフトを{使|つか}ってみます。
Senior: いいですね。では、{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}させてもらいますよ。
Sports Match
Opponent: {手加減|てかげん}はしないよ。
You: 望むところだ。{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}！
Magic Trick
Magician: これからカードを{消|け}してみせます。
Audience: おっ、{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}！
Karaoke Night
Friend: {次|つぎ}は{僕|ぼく}の{番|ばん}だ。{得意|とくい}な{歌|うた}だよ。
You: よし、{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}といこう！
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think of 'O-Te-Nami' as 'Oh, the Hand Wave' (skill) and 'Haiken' as 'Hiking' up to a viewpoint to watch it.
ربط بصري
Imagine a samurai sitting on a folding chair, holding a fan, watching a young student try to cut a bamboo pole. The samurai is smiling slightly, saying 'Otenami haiken.'
Rhyme
Skill in the hand, see it as planned — Otenami haiken, the challenge is grand!
Story
You enter a Japanese arcade. A pro player says they can beat the high score in one go. You cross your arms, lean against the machine, and say 'Otenami haiken.' You are the judge now.
In Other Languages
English has 'Show me what you've got,' and French has 'Voyons ce que tu as dans le ventre' (Let's see what you have in your belly). Both imply a test of true ability.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Next time you play a video game or a board game with a friend, say 'Otenami haiken!' right as they start their turn.
Review this phrase whenever you encounter a 'boss battle' in a game or a 'test' in a story.
النطق
Four flat beats. The 'O' is a polite prefix.
The 'n' is a nasal sound. 'Hai' sounds like 'high'.
طيف الرسمية
{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}いたしましょう。 (General challenge)
{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}ですね。 (General challenge)
{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}！ (General challenge)
{腕前|うでまえ}、{見|み}せてもらおうか。 (General challenge)
Derived from the Edo period, combining 'Te-nami' (hand-skill/form) and 'Haiken' (humble observation).
حقيقة ممتعة
The 'nami' in 'tenami' is the same kanji for 'wave' ({波|なみ}), suggesting that skill flows like a wave from the hands.
ملاحظات ثقافية
In arcades and e-sports, this phrase is a standard 'ready' signal. It shows respect for the opponent's potential while asserting one's own role as a challenger.
“「{次|つぎ}は{俺|おれ}の{番|ばん}だ」「{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}！」”
The phrase originates from the 'Tenami' of martial artists and gamblers. It reflects a society where physical technique was the primary measure of a person's status.
“Samurai movies often feature this line before a duel.”
While it uses Keigo, it is a 'top-down' phrase. A boss uses it to a subordinate to test them. A subordinate should almost never use it to a boss.
“A manager watching a new hire's presentation.”
This is a 'cool' trope. Characters who are calm and powerful often use this to show they aren't intimidated by an opponent's new power-up.
“A villain watching the hero's new transformation.”
بدايات محادثة
{日本料理|にほんりょうり}を{作|つく}るのが{得意|とくい}だそうですね。
「このゲーム、{世界|せかい}ランク100{位|い}以内なんだ。」
أخطاء شائعة
To a CEO: 「{社長|しゃちょう}、{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}です！」
「{社長|しゃちょう}、{勉強|べんきょう}させていただきます。」
L1 Interference
When someone is crying: 「{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}」
「{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}ですか？」
「{お手並み|おてなみ}を{見|み}ます」
「{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}」
L1 Interference
「お{手並|てな}み{拝見|はいけん}します」
「{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}（します）」
In Other Languages
Show me what you've got / Let's see what you can do
Japanese uses 'haiken' (humble look) to add a layer of theatrical politeness.
A ver de qué eres capaz
Spanish focuses on 'capability' (capaz) rather than 'hand skill' (tenami).
Voyons ce que tu as dans le ventre
French uses 'belly' (guts/courage) while Japanese uses 'hands' (technique).
Mal sehen, was du drauf hast
German is very informal and lacks the 'humble' nuance of Japanese.
ورينا شطارتك (Wariina shataratak)
Arabic focuses on 'shatara' (cleverness/dexterity).
看你的本事了 (Kàn nǐ de běnshì le)
Chinese 'běnshì' is a broad term for ability, similar to 'jitsuryoku'.
어디 실력 좀 볼까? (Eodi sillyeok jom bolkka?)
Korean uses 'sillyeok' (skill) which is a direct cognate of Japanese 'jitsuryoku'.
Vamos ver do que você é capaz
Similar to Spanish, it focuses on capability.
Spotted in the Real World
“「では、{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}といこうか」”
Kakashi says this to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura during their first bell test.
“「{君|きみ}の{料理|りょうり}、{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}させてもらうわ」”
Erina says this to Soma before he cooks for her.
“「さあ、{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}だ」”
During a high-stakes gambling match.
سهل الخلط
Learners might think it's just a humble way to say 'I will look at it' (like a document).
If 'Otenami' is attached, it's a challenge. If it's just 'Haiken shimasu,' it's a polite way to say 'I'll read/look at your file.'
الأسئلة الشائعة (4)
No, it's very common among friends as a playful challenge. It shows you are interested in what they are about to do.
usage contextsYes! If someone says they have a great idea for a business, you can say 'Otenami haiken' to mean 'Let's see how it works in practice.'
usage contexts'Haiken' ({拝見|はいけん}) is the humble (Kenjougo) form of 'Miru' (to see).
grammar mechanicsGenerally, no. It implies you are judging their skill, which is inappropriate for a student-teacher relationship.
cultural usage
