Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 注意 | chūi | [t͡ɕɨːi] (narrow) |
| 注目 | chūmoku | [t͡ɕɨːmo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
Use 注意 when the required attention involves caution, mindfulness of a rule or avoiding a mistake. Use 注目 when the goal is to direct someone's eyes, interest or observation toward a specific person or object.
Which one should you use?
注意 (chūi) is used for caution or warnings, such as being mindful of a danger. In contrast, 注目 (chūmoku) refers to notice or observation, specifically the act of directing one's eyes or interest toward something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 注意 as a polite command meaning 'please be careful', you can use the form ご注意ください.
How do you pronounce it?
chūi
When do people say it?
When you want to draw attention to yourself or a topic, common polite expressions include ご注目下さい, 御注目ください and ご注目願います. To call for someone's attention or assistance politely, speakers often use お願いします.
Did you know?
- While 注意 means 'attention' or 'caution', it is also the standard word for a 'reprimand' or 'warning' from a superior to a subordinate in a workplace or school.
- The kanji for 注意 combines 'center' or 'middle' 中 with 'intention' or 'will' 意, suggesting that attention is the act of centering one's will.
- While English speakers 'pay attention', Japanese speakers use the phrase 注意を払う, which uses the exact same verb 払う used for paying money with a wallet.
Examples in context
- ご注目下さい。Please give me your attention.This sentence is useful for requesting attention using 注目.Tatoeba #217056 by bunbuku, translation #54363 by CK
- 御注目ください。Give me your attention, please.Tatoeba #174247 by bunbuku, translation #240221 by CK
- ご注目願います。Please pay attention.Tatoeba #9996811 by bunbuku, translation #679853 by ulyssemc1
- ちょっと、助けてくれる？Hey, can you help me for a moment?
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A teacher is talking to a student during a lecture.
- 陽葵 Himariもっと注意して聞いてください。motto chuui shite kiite kudasai.Please listen with more attention.
- 蓮 Renすみません、気をつけます。sumimasen, ki o tsukemasu.I am sorry, I will be careful.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは注意力が欠けていますよ。ren-san wa chuuiryoku ga kakete imasu yo.Ren, you are lacking mental focus.
- 蓮 Renはい、以後気をつけます。hai, igo ki o tsukemasu.Yes, I will be careful from now on.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “attention” translations and entries 注意, 注目, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
