Translation guide
The center of a target, or a direct hit. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific nouns for the center mark, verbs for hitting it, and idiomatic phrases for getting something exactly right.
Referring to the physical center circle or mark on a dartboard, archery target, etc.
Literally 'center of the target'. A clear, neutral way to refer to the bullseye area.
矢が的の中心に当たった。
The arrow hit the bullseye.
Literally 'black star'. Refers to the black circle in the center of a target, commonly used in archery.
彼は黒星を射抜いた。
He shot through the bullseye.
Literally 'gold target'. Refers specifically to the small gold circle at the very center of a target, often in kyudo (Japanese archery).
金的を射るのは難しい。
Hitting the bullseye is difficult.
Describing the action or result of hitting the bullseye.
Literally 'hit the very center'. A very common, casual way to say you hit the bullseye.
ダーツでど真ん中に当てた！
I hit the bullseye in darts!
Literally 'shoot through the center'. Emphasizes piercing the bullseye, often used in archery or shooting.
彼は見事に中心を射抜いた。
He splendidly shot the bullseye.
Uses the English loanword 'bullseye' with the verb 'kimeru' (to decide/score). Common in darts contexts.
最後にブルズアイを決めて勝った。
I won by hitting the bullseye at the end.
Used when someone's guess, answer, or action is perfectly accurate.
Literally 'point out the bullseye'. Idiom meaning to hit the nail on the head or guess exactly right.
彼の指摘は図星だった。
His remark was right on the mark.
Literally 'hit the very center'. Used figuratively for getting an answer perfectly correct.
クイズでど真ん中を当てた。
I got the answer exactly right in the quiz.
Literally 'pierce the core'. Means to get to the heart of the matter, similar to hitting the bullseye in an argument.
彼女の質問は核心を突いていた。
Her question hit the bullseye.
図星 (zuboshi) is used when someone guesses your secret thought or points out an embarrassing truth. 核心 (kakushin) is more about the central point of an issue or argument. Use 図星 for personal revelations, 核心 for logical or analytical accuracy.
図星を指されて赤面した。
I blushed because he hit the bullseye (guessed my secret).
議論の核心に触れる。
Touch the core of the argument.
The English word 'bullseye' is often used as a loanword (ブルズアイ) in darts, but in other contexts, direct translation sounds unnatural. Use the Japanese expressions above instead.