Seeing things Meaning in English

expression · lemma: see things

US

ˈsiɪŋ/ /ˈθɪŋz

SEE-ing THINGZ

UK

sˈiːɪŋ/ /θˈɪŋz

SEE-ing THINGZ

Definition

To imagine or believe you are seeing something that is not really there, often because you are tired, sick, or frightened.

Usage & Nuances

Informal; often said humorously or to express surprise. Commonly used: 'Are you seeing things?' when someone describes something unbelievable. Not about regular imagination—suggests confusion or possible hallucination.

• Spanish: alucinar - ver cosas que no existen
• Portuguese (BR): ter alucinações - ver coisas que não existem
• Portuguese (PT): ter alucinações - ver coisas que não existem
• Chinese (Simplified): 产生幻觉 - 看见不存在的东西
• Chinese (Traditional): 產生幻覺 - 看見不存在的東西
• Hindi: चीज़ें देखना (जो असली नहीं हैं)
• Arabic: يتخيل أشياء - يرى أشياء غير موجودة
• Bengali: মিছে দেখা - অলীক জিনিস দেখা
• Russian: видеть то, чего нет - мерещится
• Japanese: 見間違える - 幻覚を見る
• Vietnamese: nhìn thấy ảo giác - tưởng tượng ra điều không có thật
• Korean: 환각을 보다 - 헛것을 보다
• Turkish: hayal görmek - olmayan şeyleri görmek
• Urdu: غلط دیکھنا - چیزیں نظر آنا (جو حقیقت میں نہ ہوں)
• Indonesian: berhalusinasi - melihat sesuatu yang tidak ada

Example Sentences

I think I'm seeing things. There's no one there.

basic

Are you seeing things or did the light really move?

basic

It's too quiet. I'm starting to feel like I'm seeing things.

basic

You scared me! I thought I was seeing things when you walked in.

natural

After working all night, I started seeing things out of the corner of my eye.

natural

If you keep talking like that, people will think you're seeing things.

natural