Translation guide
How to express 'glare at' in Japanese, covering angry stares, cold looks, and intense gazes.
To look at someone with anger, hostility, or intimidation.
The most common and direct verb for glaring at someone with anger or hostility. Can also mean to keep a sharp eye on someone.
A more intense version of 睨む, implying a fixed, piercing glare. Often used when someone is very angry.
She glared fiercely at him.
Similar to 睨みつける but slightly more literary or emphatic. Implies a scolding or intimidating glare.
The teacher glared at the student who had misbehaved.
To look at someone with coldness, disdain, or contempt, often without overt anger.
To stare fixedly or intensely, sometimes with concentration, curiosity, or intimidation.
To stare rudely or inquisitively. Often used when someone is staring in a way that makes the target uncomfortable. Not necessarily angry, but can be perceived as a glare.
A stranger stared at me rudely.
To gaze fixedly or stare intently. More neutral than 睨む, but can imply a strong, unwavering look.
He stared fixedly at the screen.
Can also be used for a piercing, intimidating stare even without anger, but usually carries a negative connotation.
English 'glare at' often implies a specific angry or hostile look. In Japanese, simply using 見る (to look) with an adverb may not convey the intensity. Use specific verbs like 睨む or set phrases like 冷たい目で見る to accurately express the nuance.
睨む implies anger or hostility, while じろじろ見る implies rude staring without necessarily being angry. Choose based on the emotion behind the look.
Literally 'to look with white eyes'. Implies looking at someone with disdain, contempt, or as if they are an outcast. Often used when someone has done something socially unacceptable.
I was late and got cold looks from everyone.
彼は私を蔑むような目で見た。
He looked at me with contempt.
彼は相手を睨め付けるように見た。
He looked at his opponent with a piercing stare.