目
[me̞]
The English phrase "eyes" is translated into Japanese as 目.
The term 目 is the most commonly used way to refer to eyes in Japanese. It can be used to refer to a single eye or multiple eyes.
Which one should you use?
While 目 is the standard term, other forms exist for specific contexts: お目目 is an affectionate and cute way to refer to eyes, suitable for talking about children. 目玉 is an informal term that refers specifically to the eyeballs. まなこ is a colloquial way to refer to eyes.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the word 目 is used for both the singular and plural forms of "eye" and "eyes".
Did you know?
- The phrase 目が回る literally translates to 'eyes are spinning' but is used idiomatically to describe being dizzy or incredibly busy.
- The word 目玉 for eyeball literally means 'eye ball' and is also used in Japanese to describe the 'main attraction' or the 'highlight' of an event.
- The word for 'eye', 目, is related to the word for a plant 'bud' or 'shoot', which is 芽 (me). This connection likely stems from the idea of a 'visually prominent feature' appearing on a stem.
Examples in context
- 目を閉じて。Close your eyes.This sentence shows how to use 目 to express the command to close one's eyes.Tatoeba #79931 by bunbuku, translation #434446 by lukaszpp
- 目を開けて。Open your eyes.This sentence shows how to use 目 to express the command to open one's eyes.Tatoeba #1080897 by bunbuku, translation #323768 by CK
- 目が悪いの？Are your eyes bad?This sentence shows how to use 目 to ask if someone's eyesight is poor.Tatoeba #9312317 by bunbuku, translation #68892 by CK
- 302 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are looking at a cute puppy in a park.
- 美咲 Misakiこの子の目は、すごくキラキラしているね。Kono ko no me wa, sugoku kirakira shite iru ne.This puppy's eyes are so sparkly.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。可愛い目だね。Hontou da. Kawaii me da ne.You're right. They are cute eyes.
- 美咲 Misakiずっと見ていたいよ。Zutto mite itai yo.I want to keep looking at them.
- 蓮 Ren僕もそう思う。Boku mo sou omou.I think so too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 目, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 目, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
