目ざとい
め
ざ
と
い
目ざとい · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 目ざとい | 目ざとくない |
| Polite | 目ざといです | 目ざとくないですalso 目ざとくありません |
| Past polite | 目ざとかったです | 目ざとくなかったですalso 目ざとくありませんでした |
| Past | 目ざとかった | 目ざとくなかった |
| Te-form | 目ざとくて | 目ざとくなくて |
| Adverbial | 目ざとく | |
| Conditional | 目ざとければ | 目ざとくなければ |
| Tara conditional | 目ざとかったら | 目ざとくなかったら |
Meanings
1
sharp-eyed; keen-eyed; observant
Describes someone who quickly notices details or changes, often with a nuance of being alert or shrewd.
He's sharp-eyed, so he spots even small mistakes right away.
A keen-eyed reader would notice this contradiction.
2
easily awakened; light sleeper
Used for someone who wakes up at the slightest noise or disturbance; often appears as 目ざとい人 or 目ざとい性格.
I'm a light sleeper, so I wake up right away if there's a noise at night.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を目ざとく見つけるto spot something sharp-eyed (before others notice)
He spotted the discounted items right away.
- 物音に目ざといto be a light sleeper who wakes at the slightest sound
My dog is such a light sleeper that it wakes up at the smallest noise.
- 〈事〉に目ざといto be quick to notice things (a certain type of matter)
She's quick to pick up on money-making opportunities.