noun
upturned eyes; slanted eyes
Describes eyes where the outer corners slant upward, often associated with a sharp or strong-willed look. Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
彼女はつり目で、いつも少し怒っているように見える。
She has upturned eyes, so she always looks a little angry.
あの猫はつり目が特徴的だ。
That cat is characterized by its slanted eyes.
Compound of つり (from 釣る or 吊る, meaning 'to hang' or 'to pull up') and 目 (eye), referring to eyes that appear pulled upward at the outer corners. The exact derivation is uncertain, but the term is widely used in everyday Japanese.