Translation guide
The English verb 'stare' refers to looking fixedly at someone or something, often with intensity or for a prolonged period. Japanese has several verbs and expressions that capture different nuances of staring, from neutral observation to rude gawking.
Expressing that someone is looking at something with concentration or curiosity, without necessarily implying rudeness.
A common, neutral way to say 'stare' or 'gaze intently'. じっと is an adverb meaning 'fixedly' or 'intently'.
彼は窓の外をじっと見ていた。
He was staring out the window.
A more formal or literary term for 'stare' or 'gaze', often used in written descriptions.
彼女は絵を凝視した。
She stared at the painting.
To gaze or stare at something, often with emotion or deep interest. Can be used for both positive and negative contexts.
彼は彼女の目を見つめた。
He stared into her eyes.
Expressing that someone is staring in a way that is impolite, intrusive, or makes others uncomfortable.
To stare rudely or scrutinize someone/something in an obvious, impolite manner. Often used when someone is staring at a person.
知らない人にじろじろ見られて嫌だった。
I felt uncomfortable being stared at by a stranger.
Slang for staring intensely or gawking, often used among younger people. Can be playful or critical.
あの人、ずっとこっちをガン見してるよ。
That person keeps staring at us.
While normally neutral, in certain contexts it can imply staring rudely, especially if the object is a person.
彼は私を凝視して、謝らなかった。
He stared at me and didn't apologize.
Describing a state where someone is staring into space, lost in thought, or not focusing on anything.
To stare vacantly or absentmindedly. ぼんやり means 'vaguely' or 'absentmindedly'.
彼はテレビをぼんやり見ていた。
He was staring blankly at the TV.
Literally 'to stare into the void/empty space'. Used to describe someone staring at nothing, often in a daze.
彼は虚空を見つめて何かを考えていた。
He was staring into space, thinking about something.
Expressing that someone is staring because they are shocked, amazed, or cannot believe what they see.
Literally 'to make one's eyes round', meaning to stare with wide eyes in surprise or astonishment.
その値段を見て、彼女は目を丸くした。
She stared in surprise when she saw the price.
Expressing a hostile or challenging stare, often to intimidate.
To glare or stare at someone with anger or hostility. Can also mean 'to keep an eye on' in a figurative sense.
彼は私をにらんで黙っていた。
He stared at me in silence, glaring.
A stronger form of にらむ, meaning to stare fiercely or glare at someone.
じっと見る is neutral and can be used for staring at objects or people without negative connotation. じろじろ見る implies rudeness or intrusive staring, especially at people. Avoid using じろじろ見る when describing your own actions unless you want to admit being rude.
美術館で絵をじっと見るのは普通です。
It's normal to stare at paintings in a museum.
人の顔をじろじろ見るのは失礼です。
It's rude to stare at people's faces.
The English verb 'stare' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using 見る (to look) alone is too weak. Always pair it with an adverb like じっと or じろじろ, or use a specific verb like 見つめる or にらむ to convey the intensity and nuance.
彼は私を見た。
He looked at me. (Not 'He stared at me.')
To be dumbfounded or taken aback, often resulting in staring with mouth agape.
突然の出来事に、みんなあっけにとられて彼を見つめていた。
Everyone stared at him, dumbfounded by the sudden event.
彼女は彼を睨みつけて部屋を出て行った。
She glared at him and left the room.