Translation guide
How to talk about eyeglasses in Japanese, from the object itself to related actions and expressions.
眼鏡
eyeglasses
Referring to the physical item worn on the face to correct vision.
The most common and neutral word for eyeglasses. Can be written in kanji, hiragana, or katakana (メガネ).
新しい眼鏡を買いました。
I bought new eyeglasses.
眼鏡をかけている人は誰ですか？
Who is the person wearing glasses?
Katakana version, often used in casual writing or for stylistic effect. Same meaning as 眼鏡.
メガネ、どこに置いたっけ？
Where did I put my glasses?
Hiragana version, common in informal writing or when avoiding kanji.
めがねを忘れてしまった。
I forgot my glasses.
Describing the action of having glasses on one's face.
The standard verb for putting on or wearing glasses. Use かけている for the state of wearing.
彼はいつも眼鏡をかけている。
He always wears glasses.
眼鏡をかけて本を読む。
I put on my glasses to read a book.
To take off one's glasses.
寝る前に眼鏡を外します。
I take off my glasses before sleeping.
Specifying different kinds of eyeglasses.
Sunglasses. A common loanword.
夏はサングラスが必須です。
Sunglasses are essential in summer.
Prescription glasses. Literally 'glasses with a degree/prescription'.
度入り眼鏡を作り直した。
I had my prescription glasses remade.
Talking about items associated with glasses.
Glasses case.
眼鏡ケースをカバンに入れてください。
Please put the glasses case in your bag.
Glasses cleaning cloth.
眼鏡拭きでレンズを拭く。
I wipe the lenses with a glasses cloth.
Frame (of glasses). Loanword.
Discussing eyesight and lens strength.
Prescription strength (diopter). Used in phrases like 度が強い (strong prescription).
眼鏡の度が合わなくなった。
My glasses prescription no longer matches.
Visual acuity. Often used when talking about eyesight quality.
Expressions using 'glasses' metaphorically.
To view with prejudice or bias. Literally 'to see through colored glasses'.
彼はいつも色眼鏡で人を見る。
He always looks at people through tinted glasses (i.e., with prejudice).
Glasses are counted using the counter 本 (ほん) for long objects, or sometimes 個 (こ) in casual speech.
眼鏡を二本持っています。
I have two pairs of glasses.
新しい眼鏡が必要です。
I need new glasses.
彼は眼鏡が似合う。
He looks good in glasses.
Reading glasses (for presbyopia).
父は老眼鏡を使って新聞を読む。
My father uses reading glasses to read the newspaper.
このフレームは軽くて丈夫です。
These frames are light and sturdy.
My eyesight got worse, so I got glasses.