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目が利く (めがきく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

目めが利きく

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ku)

have a discerning eye; have an eye for

Used when someone can judge quality, authenticity, or value well, especially in art, antiques, food, or talent.

彼かれは絵えに目めが利きくから、いい作さく品ひんを選えらんでくれる。
He has an eye for paintings, so he picks out good works for me.
骨こっ董とう品ひんに目めが利き

く

人ひと

に

見み

て

もらっ

た

。

I had someone with a discerning eye for antiques take a look.

Written forms

目めが利きく
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
目めが効きく
Alternate kanji spelling using 効く (to be effective); less common but still used.
目めがきく
Kana spelling; used when avoiding kanji or for clarity.

Kanji

目eye, class, look
利profit, advantage, benefit
効merit, efficacy, efficiency

Similar words

目めが高たかい
目が高い also means having a good eye, but it often implies a higher level of refined taste or connoisseurship, and can sound more formal or complimentary.

Etymology

The expression combines 目 (eye) with 利く (to be effective, to work well), literally meaning 'the eye works well'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a natural idiomatic extension.