Translation guide
The English word "eye" covers the body part, vision, attention, and many figurative uses. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
The physical organ of sight.
The ability to see; eyesight.
Can also refer to eyesight or vision.
The direction of one's gaze; focus of attention.
Refers to one's line of sight or gaze.
A way of looking at something; a point of view.
Used in phrases like 'in the eyes of...' or 'from one's perspective'.
The ability to judge or appreciate something correctly.
To experience something difficult or unpleasant.
To have a painful experience; to learn the hard way.
The hole in a needle or similar small opening.
The central or most important part of something.
English uses 'eye' in many idioms that do not use 目 in Japanese. For example, 'keep an eye on' is 見守る (みまもる) or 注意する (ちゅういする), not 目を保つ. Always check if a set phrase exists.
Please keep an eye on the children.
Many Japanese words contain 目 (め) to indicate something related to eyes or vision, e.g., 目薬 (めぐすり, eye drops), 目覚まし (めざまし, alarm clock, lit. 'eye-opener'), 目撃 (もくげき, witnessing). Learning these can expand your vocabulary.
She has beautiful eyes.
眼球の動きを調べます。
We will examine the movement of the eyeball.
最近、目が悪くなった。
My eyesight has gotten worse recently.
Specifically means 'eyesight' or 'visual acuity'.
I had an eye exam.
彼の視線を感じた。
I felt his eyes on me.
I averted my eyes.
To turn one's eyes toward something; to pay attention.
Let's face reality (turn our eyes to reality).
Cannot take one's eyes off something; riveting.
I couldn't take my eyes off that movie.
親の目から見れば、まだ子供だ。
From a parent's perspective, they're still a child.
Literally 'viewpoint' or 'perspective'.
Let's think about it from a different perspective.
Having a good eye for something; discerning.
He has a good eye for antiques.
A connoisseur; someone with a discerning eye.
He is a connoisseur of wine.
To have an eye for something; to be a good judge.
She has a good eye for people.
You'll be sorry if you do that.
To have a terrible experience.
I had a terrible experience during the trip.
Literally 'needle hole'. The eye of a needle.
Thread the needle.
Archaic/technical term for the eye of a needle. Rarely used in modern conversation.
It's difficult to thread the eye of a needle.
The eye of a typhoon. Also used figuratively for the center of a controversy.
He became the center of the storm (controversy).
General word for 'center' or 'core'. Not directly 'eye', but used in similar contexts.
What is the heart of the matter?
I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
He has a good eye for art.