Translation guide
How to express that two or more people direct their gaze toward one another, often implying mutual recognition or shared reaction.
Two or more people look at one another, often with a specific emotion or in a particular situation.
Literally 'to look at each other's faces'. The most common and natural way to say 'look at each other', often implying surprise, confusion, or a shared reaction.
彼らは驚いて顔を見合わせた。
They looked at each other in surprise.
私たちは顔を見合わせて笑った。
We looked at each other and laughed.
Literally 'eyes meet'. Describes the moment when two people's eyes meet, often accidentally or in a romantic context. Intransitive; the meeting of eyes happens spontaneously.
彼と目が合って、どきどきした。
My eyes met his and my heart raced.
教室で先生と目が合った。
I made eye contact with the teacher in the classroom.
To gaze at each other intently, often with deep emotion or romantic feeling. Implies a longer, more focused mutual look.
恋人たちは静かに見つめ合っていた。
The lovers were gazing at each other quietly.
Literally 'to exchange glances'. A slightly more literary or formal expression for looking at each other, often implying a meaningful or knowing look.
彼らは意味ありげに視線を交わした。
They exchanged meaningful glances.
To glare at each other, often in anger or confrontation. Not a neutral 'look at each other'.
顔を見合わせる emphasizes the action of looking at each other's faces, often as a shared reaction. 目が合う focuses on the moment eyes meet, often accidentally or with a specific person. Use 顔を見合わせる for group situations or mutual acknowledgment; use 目が合う for one-on-one eye contact.
みんな顔を見合わせて、どうしようかと考えた。
Everyone looked at each other, wondering what to do.
電車で隣の人と目が合って気まずかった。
I made eye contact with the person next to me on the train and it was awkward.
The literal translation 'お互いを見る' (otagai o miru) is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural and is rarely used. Use the idiomatic expressions above instead.
二人の男がにらみ合っていた。
The two men were glaring at each other.