Translation guide
Describes having or using only one eye, or something related to a single eye. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific words for physical conditions, actions, or metaphorical uses.
彼は片目が見えません。
He is blind in one eye.
彼女は私にウインクした。
She winked at me.
Describing a person or animal that has only one functioning eye, either from birth or due to injury/illness.
The most common and neutral word for 'one eye' when referring to having only one eye. It literally means 'one of a pair of eyes' and is used for people or animals.
彼は事故で片目を失った。
He lost one eye in an accident.
その猫は片目が見えない。
That cat is blind in one eye.
A more formal or literary term for having one eye. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts, like describing a one-eyed warrior.
隻眼の剣士
a one-eyed swordsman
A rare, somewhat archaic term for having one eye. It can also imply 'one-eyed' as a distinctive trait.
独眼の老人
a one-eyed old man
Actions where you intentionally use only one eye, like winking, aiming, or looking through a telescope.
Literally 'to see with one eye'. Used when you close or cover one eye to look at something.
望遠鏡を片目でのぞいた。
I looked through the telescope with one eye.
To close one eye, often deliberately for aiming or winking.
彼は片目をつぶって的に狙いを定めた。
He closed one eye and took aim at the target.
The loanword for 'wink', specifically closing one eye briefly as a signal or gesture.
Referring to a single eye as an organ, or in contexts like 'an eye for an eye'.
Literally 'one eye', used when counting or emphasizing a single eye as a body part.
その怪物は一つの目を持っていた。
The monster had one eye.
One eye of a pair, often used when comparing or referring to one side.
片方の目が赤い。
One eye is red.
Expressions like 'keep one eye on' or 'have an eye for', where 'one eye' implies partial attention or a specific talent.
Idiom meaning 'to keep a sharp eye on something' or 'to watch closely'. Literally 'to shine one eye on'.
警察はその地域に片目を光らせている。
The police are keeping an eye on that area.
Idiom meaning 'to have a weakness for' or 'to be crazy about'. Not literally 'one eye', but uses 'eye' to express strong liking.
This idiom uses '目' (eye) but does not mean 'one eye'. It's included because learners might encounter 'eye' in similar contexts.
彼は甘いものに目がない。
He has a sweet tooth (literally: he has no eye for sweets).
English often uses 'one eye' in phrases like 'keep one eye on' or 'have one eye on'. Japanese may use different structures or omit the number entirely. For example, 'keep an eye on' is often just '見張る' (みはる) or '注意する' (ちゅういする).
片目 (かため) is the everyday word for having one eye or using one eye. 隻眼 (せきがん) is more dramatic and formal, often used in fiction or historical descriptions. Use 片目 in normal conversation.
彼女は私にウインクした。
She winked at me.