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薄目を開ける (うすめをあける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

薄うす目めを開あける

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

open one's eyes slightly; crack one's eyes open

Describes the action of opening the eyes just a little, often when waking up, peeking, or trying to see without being noticed.

朝あさ、薄うす目めを開あけて時計とけいを見みた。
In the morning, I cracked my eyes open and looked at the clock.
彼かれは薄うす目めを開あけて、誰だれが来きた

の

か

確たし

かめ

た

。

He opened his eyes slightly to check who had come.

Written forms

薄うす目めを開あける
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
薄うす目めをあける
Kana spelling of 開ける; common in everyday writing.

Kanji

薄dilute, thin, weak (tea)
目eye, class, look
開open, unfold, unseal

Similar words

目めを開あける
Means to open one's eyes fully, without the nuance of doing so only slightly.
薄うす目め
Noun meaning 'slightly opened eyes' or 'half-closed eyes'; 薄目を開ける is the verbal phrase using this noun.

Etymology

Compound of 薄目 (usume, 'slightly opened eyes') + を (object marker) + 開ける (akeru, 'to open'). The expression is transparent and follows standard Japanese grammar.