B1 Expression Formell

お手並み拝見

otenami haiken

Show me your skill

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.
👀 + 🛠️ + ⚔️ = {お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}

Explanation at your level:

This is a phrase used when you want to see someone do something. It is like saying 'Show me!' or 'Let's see!' It is often used before a game. It uses polite words, but it is a challenge. You say it to a friend who says they are good at something.
In Japanese, 'Otenami' means skill and 'Haiken' means to look politely. Together, they mean 'Let's see your skill.' You use this when a friend says they can do a trick or win a game. It's a friendly way to say 'I'm watching you, so do your best!'
This expression is a staple of intermediate Japanese conversation, particularly in competitive or performative contexts. While 'haiken' is technically humble (Kenjougo), in this phrase, it functions as a playful or slightly provocative challenge. It's best used when there's an established rapport between speakers, as it implies the speaker is in the role of a judge or observer. It captures the nuance of 'Show me what you've got' with a touch of traditional flair.
At this level, learners should recognize the ironic use of honorifics. {お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん} utilizes the humble verb 'haiken' to create a sense of 'theatrical observation.' It is frequently employed in scenarios where one's competence is being tested—either formally by a superior or informally by a peer. Understanding the social distance it creates is key; it's not just 'watching,' it's 'evaluating' with a certain level of detachment or confidence.
This phrase serves as an excellent case study in sociolinguistic pragmatics. The speaker adopts a humble stance ('haiken') to describe their own action of looking, which paradoxically elevates them to the position of an evaluator. This 'polite challenge' is deeply rooted in the Edo-period gambling and martial arts lexicon. Mastery involves knowing how to modulate the tone—from a lighthearted 'Let's see!' among friends to a chillingly polite 'Prove your worth' in a high-stakes professional or dramatic setting.
The phrase {お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん} encapsulates the complex interplay between Keigo and power dynamics in Japanese discourse. By utilizing a humble register to frame a competitive observation, the speaker exercises a form of linguistic dominance that is veiled in traditional etiquette. It requires a sophisticated understanding of 'Aisatsu' (greetings) and 'Kakehiki' (tactical bargaining). One must also be aware of its literary and cinematic weight, often signaling a pivotal moment where a character's 'Jitsuryoku' (true ability) is finally unveiled to a discerning eye.

Bedeutung

An expression used to challenge or observe someone's abilities.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

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.

Bedeutung

An expression used to challenge or observe someone's abilities.

🎯

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.

Teste dich selbst

Choose the most natural situation to use 「{お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}」.

Which situation fits?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: B

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}（　　）

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: {拝見|はいけん}

'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、（　　）。」

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: {お手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}といきましょう

B is responding to a boast about a skill, so 'Otenami haiken' is the perfect fit.

🎉 Ergebnis: /3

Visuelle Lernhilfen

When to use Otenami Haiken

🎲

Games

  • • Board games
  • • Video games
  • • Card tricks
🎨

Skills

  • • Cooking
  • • Drawing
  • • Coding
⚽

Sports

  • • Tennis
  • • Golf
  • • Darts

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

No, 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.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

{腕前|うでまえ}を{披露|ひろう}する

similar

To show off one's skills.

🔗

{手|て}の{内|うち}を{明|あ}かす

similar

To reveal one's secret plan or hand.

🔗

{高見|たかみ}の{見物|けんぶつ}

contrast

Watching from a safe distance (bystander).

🔗

{真剣勝負|しんけんしょうぶ}

builds on

A fight with real swords / a serious match.

Wo du es verwendest

🎮

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！

informal
🍳

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。

neutral
💻

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。

formal
🎾

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}！

neutral
🪄

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}！

informal
🎤

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！

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'O-Te-Nami' as 'Oh, the Hand Wave' (skill) and 'Haiken' as 'Hiking' up to a viewpoint to watch it.

Visual Association

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.

Word Web

{手並み|おてなみ}{拝見|はいけん}{腕前|うでまえ}{実力|じつりょく}{挑戦|ちょうせん}{見物|けんぶつ}{披露|ひろう}{評価|ひょうか}

Herausforderung

Next time you play a video game or a board game with a friend, say 'Otenami haiken!' right as they start their turn.

In Other Languages

English high

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.

Spanish high

A ver de qué eres capaz

Spanish focuses on 'capability' (capaz) rather than 'hand skill' (tenami).

French moderate

Voyons ce que tu as dans le ventre

French uses 'belly' (guts/courage) while Japanese uses 'hands' (technique).

German high

Mal sehen, was du drauf hast

German is very informal and lacks the 'humble' nuance of Japanese.

Arabic high

ورينا شطارتك (Wariina shataratak)

Arabic focuses on 'shatara' (cleverness/dexterity).

Chinese high

看你的本事了 (Kàn nǐ de běnshì le)

Chinese 'běnshì' is a broad term for ability, similar to 'jitsuryoku'.

Korean very_high

어디 실력 좀 볼까? (Eodi sillyeok jom bolkka?)

Korean uses 'sillyeok' (skill) which is a direct cognate of Japanese 'jitsuryoku'.

Portuguese high

Vamos ver do que você é capaz

Similar to Spanish, it focuses on capability.

Easily Confused

お手並み拝見 vs. {拝見|はいけん}します

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.'

FAQ (4)

No, 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.

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