目
me[me̞]
The Japanese word for eye is 目 (me). If unsure, use 目. Wiktionary also lists 瞳 (hitomi).
Meaning: organ (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 目 | me | [me̞] (narrow) [mo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 瞳 | hitomi | [çito̞mʲi] (narrow) |
The term 目 is the general, anatomical and functional word for the eye. It is used for all everyday medical and practical contexts, such as discussing eye pain or eye drops.
What does it mean word for word?
The kanji for 目 is a pictograph that resembles the shape of a human eye.
Which one should you use?
While 目 is the standard term for the organ, 瞳 refers specifically to the pupil or the iris. 瞳 is used in poetic or aesthetic contexts, often to describe the beauty of someone's eyes.
How do you pronounce it?
me
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 目 is used not just for the organ, but as a counter for things like the 'first' or 'second' in a sequence, such as 一人目 for 'the first person'.
- The Japanese word 瞳 shares a surprising conceptual root with the Latin word 'pūpilla'. Both derive from the idea of seeing a small 'pupil' or person reflected in the eye.
- Japanese uses the word 目 to describe the 'grain' or 'texture' of wood and fabric, treating the knots or weave as 'eyes'.
Examples in context
- 目薬をください。I'd like to buy eye drops.This sentence shows how to use 目 when asking for eye drops.Tatoeba #79887 by bunbuku, translation #323830 by CK
- 目に何か入った。I have something in my eye.This sentence demonstrates how to use 目 when something is inside the eye.Tatoeba #3010178 by tommy_san, translation #436687 by lukaszpp
- 目に砂が入りました。I got some sand in my eye.This sentence shows how to use 目 when sand gets into the eye.Tatoeba #79972 by bunbuku, translation #323745 by Zifre
- Kyō, watashi no me ga itai. (今日、私の目が痛い。)Today, my eye hurts.
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 大翔 Hirotoあの映画、泣かされて目が赤くなったよ。Ano eiga, nakasarete me ga akaku natta yo.That movie made me cry so much my eyes got red.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ。大翔くん、目が腫れているね。Hontō da. Hiroto-kun, me ga harete iru ne.You're right. Hiroto, your eyes are swollen.
- 大翔 Hirotoそんなにひどいかな？Sonna ni hidoi kana?Is it really that bad?
- 陽葵 Himariちょっとだけ。ゆっくり休んでね。Chotto dake. Yukkuri yasunde ne.Just a little. Get some rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eye” translations and entries 目, 瞳, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 目, 瞳, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
