Translation guide
The ability to notice and judge subtle details, quality, or authenticity, often in art, food, fashion, or character. Japanese expresses this through nouns describing a trained eye, verbs for perception, and set phrases.
Describing someone who can judge the quality, value, or authenticity of something (art, antiques, food, etc.)
Literally 'one's eyes are fertile/rich.' A common, natural way to say someone has a discerning eye, especially from experience.
彼は骨董品に目が肥えている。
He has a discerning eye for antiques.
彼女はワインに目が肥えている。
She has a discerning eye (palate) for wine.
A noun meaning a person with a discerning eye, an expert judge, or the act of discerning. Often used for art, antiques, swords, etc.
彼は刀剣の目利きだ。
He is a discerning judge of swords.
目利きの人に鑑定してもらった。
I had it appraised by someone with a discerning eye.
A formal noun meaning a discerning eye, especially for art, antiques, or criminal evidence. Literally 'discernment eye.'
彼の鑑識眼は確かだ。
His discerning eye is reliable.
Literally 'has an eye for seeing.' A casual, versatile phrase for having a good eye for people, things, or quality.
彼女は人を見る目がある。
She has a discerning eye for people.
君は服を見る目があるね。
You have a discerning eye for clothes.
A formal word for an aesthetic eye, the ability to appreciate beauty. Used in art, design, and fashion contexts.
彼女は優れた審美眼の持ち主だ。
She possesses an excellent discerning eye for beauty.
Describing the ability to perceive things that are not obvious, such as lies, talent, or hidden meanings.
Literally 'eyes are effective.' Means to have a sharp eye, to notice things quickly, or to be good at spotting details or bargains.
彼は偽物に目が利く。
He has a discerning eye for fakes.
彼女は良い品に目が利く。
She has a discerning eye for good products.
A literary noun meaning a discerning eye, keen insight, or perceptiveness. Often used to praise someone's deep understanding.
An adjective meaning sharp-eyed, quick to notice. Can be positive (discerning) or negative (finding faults).
Insight, discernment, penetration. More about mental insight than visual discernment, but overlaps with 'discerning eye' for abstract matters.
The ability to judge someone's character, talent, or trustworthiness.
A set phrase meaning 'has an eye for judging people.' Very common and natural.
彼は人を見る目があるから、良い従業員を雇える。
He has a discerning eye for people, so he can hire good employees.
A noun meaning an eye for judging character. Somewhat formal.
彼の人物眼は確かだ。
His discerning eye for character is reliable.
Both mean having a discerning eye, but 目が肥えている emphasizes refined taste developed through experience (e.g., gourmet food, art), while 目が利く emphasizes sharpness in spotting details, bargains, or fakes. 目が肥えている often implies a higher level of sophistication.
彼は美食に目が肥えている。
He has a discerning palate for fine food.
彼女は市場で良い魚に目が利く。
She has a discerning eye for good fish at the market.
Do not translate 'discerning eye' literally as 識別する目 or 見分ける目. These sound unnatural. Use the idiomatic expressions above.
彼女は古着に目が肥えている。
She has a discerning eye for vintage clothing.
違いを見分けるには目が利かないといけない。
You need a discerning eye to spot the difference.
彼の慧眼には驚かされる。
I am amazed by his discerning eye.
He has a discerning eye for others' mistakes.
彼女は優れた洞察力で問題の本質を見抜いた。
With her discerning eye, she saw through to the heart of the problem.