Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 見詰める | mitsumeru | [mʲit͡sɨ̥me̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| じろじろ見る | jirojiro-miru |
The term 見詰める is used to describe looking fixedly at something, often implying concentration or intense focus. In contrast, じろじろ見る describes staring or gawking at someone without hesitation. Because of this, じろじろ見る is frequently used in Japanese social contexts during warnings or reprimands regarding social etiquette.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression じろじろ見る uses the onomatopoeic word じろじろ, which describes a wandering gaze or the act of looking around in a way that is often perceived as intrusive.
Which one should you use?
見詰める is a neutral term for looking fixedly at an object or person with intent. じろじろ見る carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is staring rudely, being nosy or acting in a judgmental manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you add な to the end of the dictionary form of a verb, such as in じろじろ見るな, it creates a strong and blunt command telling someone not to perform that action.
How do you pronounce it?
mitsumeru
Did you know?
- In Japan, staring is often categorized as a form of 'visual harassment' or shisen-hara, a portmanteau of 'gaze' and 'harassment'. This term is used in professional environments to describe the act of じろじろ見る.
- The verb 見詰める shares the same kanji 見 as the basic word for 'to see' or 'to look', but its meaning changes based on the accompanying kanji 詰, which means 'to stuff' or 'to pack'.
- The word じろじろ is a type of 'mimetic' word called gitaigo, which mimics a physical state or action rather than a sound. This category of language is so vast that it provides specific words for the 'feeling' of different types of stares.
Examples in context
- じろじろ見るな。Don't stare.This sentence is useful for a blunt command not to stare using じろじろ見る.Tatoeba #7040357 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #2111899 by CK
- 他人の顔をじろじろ見るんじゃない。Don't stare at others.This sentence is useful for telling someone not to stare at others using じろじろ見る.Tatoeba #138513 by bunbuku, translation #1362467 by CK
- 人のことをじろじろ見るのは失礼だよ。It's not polite to stare at people.This sentence is useful for noting that staring at people is impolite using じろじろ見る.Tatoeba #11200743 by bunbuku, translation #4502275 by CK
- 彼女は彼を見つめたShe stared at him.
- 彼は人をジロジロ見るのが癖He has a habit of staring at people.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are looking at a painting in a museum.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの絵をじっと見詰めると、不思議な感じがするね。Kono e o jitto mitsumeru to, fushigi na kanji ga suru ne.When you stare at this painting, it feels mysterious, doesn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当だね。吸い込まれそうな気分だよ。Hontou da ne. Suikomaresou na kibun da yo.You're right. I feel like I'm being sucked into it.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は、ずっとこの絵を見詰めているね。Misaki wa, zutto kono e o mitsumete iru ne.Misaki, you've been staring at this painting the whole time.
- 美咲 Misakiだって、とても美しいから。Datte, totemo utsukushii kara.Because it's so beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stare” translations and entries 見詰める, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
