Sino-Japanese word for 'eye', used in formal, medical, or literary contexts. In everyday speech, 目 (め) is more common.
I had an eye examination at the ophthalmologist.
insight; vision; power of observation
Metaphorical use: keen perception or discernment. Often appears in compounds like 眼識 (がんしき) or 心眼 (しんがん).
Rare extended uses: 'gist' or 'main point' (as in 眼目 がんもく), and 'hole' (as in 針眼 はりめど). Not productive in modern Japanese outside fixed compounds.
counter for eyes of a group of stones (go)
Technical counter in the game of Go, used to count the number of eyes (independent liberties) of a group of stones.
He has a discerning eye for art.
The word 眼目 can refer to the main point of a matter.
針眼 is an old expression meaning the eye of a needle.
This group of stones has two eyes, so it is alive.
眼 is a more formal or medical term for eye, as in 眼科, while 目 is the everyday, general word for eye.
眼 (がん) is a homophone meaning 'eye' in compounds like 眼科, completely unrelated to 願 (がん), meaning 'wish/vow'.
ophthalmology; eye clinic
eyeball
one eye · single-lens reflex camera · one eye (in go)
naked eye; unaided eye · physical eye; fleshly eye
eyepatch; eye bandage
consideration; notice; attention · within the eye
main purpose; chief aim; focus · main point; gist; essence
enlightenment; spiritual awakening; opening one's eyes to the truth · reaching one's peak; reaching the highest echelons · gaining eyesight; restoring eyesight; opening the eyes · eye-opening ceremony; consecration of a Buddhist image
presbyopia; age-related farsightedness
Standard kanji form for this Sino-Japanese reading.
Sino-Japanese reading of the kanji 眼, from Middle Chinese. The character originally depicted an eye and has been used in compounds with meanings related to sight, perception, and small openings.
focusing on; paying attention to · observation; perception; taking notice
before one's eyes; in front of one
naked eye; unaided vision; uncorrected vision
single eye; one eye; single lens · simple eye; ocellus
clairvoyance; second sight · clairvoyant
both eyes; binocular
gleam in one's eye; sparkle of one's eyes · insight; discernment; power of observation
orbit; eye socket
insight; power of observation
square grid; lattice; mesh pattern
eye strain; asthenopia
artificial eye; glass eye; ocular prosthesis
blue eyes
mind's eye
eye drop application; instillation of eye drops
under one's eyes; below one's eyes; before one's eyes
nearsightedness; shortsightedness; myopia
one eye; single eye · discerning eye; excellent judgment
eyelid; palpebra
compound eye
kendo stance with sword tip at opponent's eyes · warm, welcoming eyes