Translation guide
To look at someone or something very intently, often in a way that feels penetrating or uncomfortable. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for staring, glaring, and piercing gazes.
To describe eyes or a gaze that seems to penetrate or fixate on someone/something, often with intensity or discomfort.
A common, neutral way to say 'stare intently' or 'gaze fixedly'. It implies a steady, unwavering look.
彼は私の目をじっと見つめた。
He stared intently into my eyes.
Literally 'to look as if boring a hole'. A vivid, idiomatic expression for staring so hard it feels like it could pierce.
Specifically when someone's eyes seem to penetrate or fixate on another person, often making them uncomfortable.
Means 'can't take one's eyes off'. Used when someone is so captivated or fixated that they stare continuously.
彼女の美しさに目が離せなかった。
I couldn't take my eyes off her beauty; my eyes were boring into her.
The English phrase 'bore into' is highly figurative. Do not translate literally with verbs like 穴を開ける (to drill a hole) unless you mean actual drilling. Use expressions related to staring or gazing instead.
じっと見つめる is a neutral, steady stare that can be out of curiosity, admiration, or concentration. 睨む implies anger, hostility, or intimidation. Choose based on the emotion behind the gaze.
彼の視線が私に突き刺さり、すべてを見透かされているようだった。
His eyes bored into me, making me feel exposed.
Uses 視線が突き刺さる for a piercing gaze and adds 見透かす (to see through) to convey the feeling of exposure.
彼女は穴が開くほど私の顔を見ていた。
She was staring at my face as if she could bore a hole through it.
To glare or stare sharply, often with anger or hostility. Implies a piercing, intimidating look.
彼は私を鋭い目つきで睨んだ。
He glared at me with piercing eyes.
Literally 'to stab with one's gaze'. A dramatic, literary expression for a piercing look that feels physically penetrating.
彼の視線が私の背中に突き刺さった。
His gaze bored into my back.
To strain one's eyes or peer intently, as if trying to see through something. Implies focused, penetrating observation.
彼は暗闇に目を凝らした。
He strained his eyes into the darkness, his gaze boring into the shadows.
Literally 'eyes pierce'. A strong, figurative expression for a gaze that feels like it's physically stabbing.
彼の冷たい目が私に突き刺さった。
His cold eyes bored into me.