Translation guide
The center of a target, or a direct hit. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific nouns for the center mark, verbs for hitting it, and idiomatic phrases for getting something exactly right.
The arrow hit the bullseye.
Literally 'black star'. Refers to the black circle in the center of a target, commonly used in archery.
He shot through the bullseye.
Literally 'gold target'. Refers specifically to the small gold circle at the very center of a target, often in kyudo (Japanese archery).
Hitting the bullseye is difficult.
Describing the action or result of hitting the bullseye.
Literally 'hit the very center'. A very common, casual way to say you hit the bullseye.
I hit the bullseye in darts!
Literally 'shoot through the center'. Emphasizes piercing the bullseye, often used in archery or shooting.
Uses the English loanword 'bullseye' with the verb 'kimeru' (to decide/score). Common in darts contexts.
Used when someone's guess, answer, or action is perfectly accurate.
Literally 'point out the bullseye'. Idiom meaning to hit the nail on the head or guess exactly right.
His remark was right on the mark.
Literally 'hit the very center'. Used figuratively for getting an answer perfectly correct.
Literally 'pierce the core'. Means to get to the heart of the matter, similar to hitting the bullseye in an argument.
図星 (zuboshi) is used when someone guesses your secret thought or points out an embarrassing truth. 核心 (kakushin) is more about the central point of an issue or argument. Use 図星 for personal revelations, 核心 for logical or analytical accuracy.
I blushed because he hit the bullseye (guessed my secret).
Touch the core of the argument.
The English word 'bullseye' is often used as a loanword (ブルズアイ) in darts, but in other contexts, direct translation sounds unnatural. Use the Japanese expressions above instead.
He splendidly shot the bullseye.
I won by hitting the bullseye at the end.
I got the answer exactly right in the quiz.
Her question hit the bullseye.