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目に物言わす (めにものいわす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
indicate with the eyes ; give a significant look
Idiomatic expression meaning to convey a message or intention through one's gaze, often without words. Used when someone silently signals something with their eyes.
わす
だけ
で
、
私わたし
に
席せき
を
外はず
す
よう
に
促うなが
し
た
。
She just gave me a look that told me to leave the room.
Written forms 目め に 物もの 言い わす
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
目め にもの 言い わす
Variant with もの in kana; slightly less common but still seen.
Similar words 目め で 訴うった える More direct and emotional; implies pleading or appealing with the eyes, whereas 目に物言わす is more about silent communication or signaling.
目め 配くば せ A noun meaning a wink or a meaningful glance, often used for quick, conspiratorial signals. 目に物言わす is a verb phrase describing the act of communicating through the eyes more broadly.
Etymology The phrase literally means 'to make things speak with the eyes.' It is a set expression combining 目 (eye), に (particle), 物 (thing), and 言わす (causative of 言う, to say). The exact origin is uncertain, but it has been used idiomatically in Japanese for a long time.
