目線
Meanings
gaze; line of sight; direction one is looking
Refers to where someone is looking or the direction of their eyes. Often used in phrases like 目線をそらす (avert one's gaze) or 目線が合う (meet someone's eyes).
He awkwardly averted his gaze.
I practiced speaking while looking at the camera.
point of view; standpoint; perspective
Used when considering something from a particular person's or group's perspective. Common in phrases like 消費者の目線 (consumer's perspective) or 目線に立つ (take someone's standpoint).
It's important to think from a child's point of view.
This project is designed from the user's perspective.
line covering someone's eyes (in an edited photo)
Refers to the black bar or line placed over a person's eyes in photographs or videos to obscure their identity. A specialized media term.
The suspect's photo had a line covering the eyes.
Usage patterns
- 目線をそらすto avert one's gaze
She looked away, seeming embarrassed.
- 〈人〉目線で〈動詞〉to do something from someone's point of view
This product was designed from a child's point of view.
- 目線にモザイクを入れるto put a mosaic (blur bar) over someone's eyes in a photo
They blurred out the eyes to protect the person's privacy.
- 目線が合うto make eye contact; for eyes to meet
Our eyes happened to meet on the train.