Translation guide
How to express 'stare at' naturally in Japanese, depending on the intent and context.
To look at something or someone with focused attention, often with curiosity, admiration, or deep thought.
A common, neutral way to say 'stare at' or 'gaze intently'. Can be used for people, objects, or scenes.
彼は絵をじっと見ていた。
He was staring at the painting.
The child is staring at the bug.
To gaze steadily, often with deep emotion or concentration. Slightly more literary than じっと見る.
彼女は彼の目を見つめた。
She stared into his eyes.
星空を見つめて物思いにふけった。
I stared at the starry sky, lost in thought.
Formal, technical term for 'stare' or 'gaze fixedly'. Used in written or scientific contexts.
被験者は画面を凝視した。
The subject stared at the screen.
To look at someone in a way that is impolite, aggressive, or makes them uncomfortable.
To glare or stare angrily. Implies hostility or strong displeasure.
彼は私をにらんだ。
He glared at me.
上司ににらまれて怖かった。
I was scared when my boss glared at me.
Slang for staring intensely, often rudely or without hiding it. Common among younger people.
電車で隣の人にガン見された。
I was stared at by the person next to me on the train.
To stare rudely or scrutinize someone openly, often making them uncomfortable. Very common for describing impolite staring.
知らない人にじろじろ見られて嫌だった。
I felt uncomfortable being stared at by a stranger.
人のことをじろじろ見るのは失礼だよ。
It's rude to stare at people.
To look at something without really seeing it, often due to being lost in thought, tired, or shocked.
To stare vacantly or absentmindedly. Often used when someone is daydreaming or not focused.
彼は窓の外をぼんやり見ていた。
He was staring blankly out the window.
To stare in a daze or with a blank expression, often from shock or confusion.
事故の後、彼は茫然と前を見ていた。
After the accident, he stared blankly ahead.
To look with wide eyes due to amazement, shock, or disbelief.
Literally 'to make one's eyes round', meaning to stare with wide eyes in surprise or wonder.
その値段を見て目を丸くした。
I stared wide-eyed at the price.
To stare in astonishment or be dumbfounded. Often used when something unexpected happens.
彼の突然の告白に、みんなあっけにとられて彼を見た。
Everyone stared at him in astonishment at his sudden confession.
The English phrase 'stare at' can sound aggressive or rude in Japanese if translated directly without considering context. Use じっと見る for neutral staring, and にらむ or じろじろ見る for negative staring.
彼をじっと見るのはやめなさい。
Stop staring at him. (neutral/concerned)
彼をじろじろ見るのはやめなさい。
Stop staring at him. (because it's rude)
じっと見る is the most general and neutral. 見つめる implies a deeper, often emotional gaze. にらむ is specifically an angry glare. Choose based on the emotion you want to convey.