Translation guide
The English word "eye" covers the body part, vision, attention, and many figurative uses. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
The physical organ of sight.
The standard word for 'eye'. Used in everyday conversation.
彼女は目がきれいですね。
She has beautiful eyes.
目がかゆいです。
My eyes are itchy.
Anatomical term for 'eyeball'. Used in medical contexts.
眼球の動きを調べます。
We will examine the movement of the eyeball.
The ability to see; eyesight.
Can also refer to eyesight or vision.
最近、目が悪くなった。
My eyesight has gotten worse recently.
Specifically means 'eyesight' or 'visual acuity'.
The direction of one's gaze; focus of attention.
Refers to one's line of sight or gaze.
To turn one's eyes toward something; to pay attention.
現実に目を向けよう。
Let's face reality (turn our eyes to reality).
Cannot take one's eyes off something; riveting.
その映画は目が離せなかった。
I couldn't take my eyes off that movie.
A way of looking at something; a point of view.
Used in phrases like 'in the eyes of...' or 'from one's perspective'.
親の目から見れば、まだ子供だ。
From a parent's perspective, they're still a child.
Literally 'viewpoint' or 'perspective'.
The ability to judge or appreciate something correctly.
Having a good eye for something; discerning.
彼は骨董に目が高い。
He has a good eye for antiques.
A connoisseur; someone with a discerning eye.
To have an eye for something; to be a good judge.
彼女は人を見る目がある。
She has a good eye for people.
To experience something difficult or unpleasant.
To have a painful experience; to learn the hard way.
そんなことをすると痛い目にあうよ。
You'll be sorry if you do that.
To have a terrible experience.
旅行中にひどい目にあった。
I had a terrible experience during the trip.
The hole in a needle or similar small opening.
Literally 'needle hole'. The eye of a needle.
針の穴に糸を通す。
Thread the needle.
Archaic/technical term for the eye of a needle. Rarely used in modern conversation.
めどに糸を通すのは難しい。
It's difficult to thread the eye of a needle.
The central or most important part of something.
The eye of a typhoon. Also used figuratively for the center of a controversy.
彼は台風の目となった。
He became the center of the storm (controversy).
General word for 'center' or 'core'. Not directly 'eye', but used in similar contexts.
English uses 'eye' in many idioms that do not use 目 in Japanese. For example, 'keep an eye on' is 見守る (みまもる) or 注意する (ちゅういする), not 目を保つ. Always check if a set phrase exists.
子供たちを見守ってください。
Please keep an eye on the children.
Many Japanese words contain 目 (め) to indicate something related to eyes or vision, e.g., 目薬 (めぐすり, eye drops), 目覚まし (めざまし, alarm clock, lit. 'eye-opener'), 目撃 (もくげき, witnessing). Learning these can expand your vocabulary.
彼女は目がきれいです。
She has beautiful eyes.
画面から目が離せなかった。
I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
彼は美術に目が高い。
He has a good eye for art.
I had an eye exam.
Let's think about it from a different perspective.
彼はワインの目利きだ。
He is a connoisseur of wine.
問題の中心は何ですか。
What is the heart of the matter?