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眼差し (まなざし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
noun
look ; gaze ; expression in one's eyes
Refers to the way someone looks at something or someone, often carrying emotional or expressive nuance. Can imply a steady, meaningful, or searching gaze.
息子むすこ
を
誇ほこ
らし
げ
な
眼差まなざ
し
で
見み
つめ
た
。
The father gazed at his son with a proud look.
Written forms 眼差まなざ し Usage 45%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
まなざし Usage 54%
目差まなざ し Usage 1%
Variant using the simpler 目 kanji; less common but still encountered.
目差まなざし Usage <1%
Abbreviated variant; rarely used.
眼指まなざし
Uncommon variant with 指; may be considered ateji-like.
Kanji 差 distinction, difference, variation Similar words 視し 線せん 視線 is a more neutral, physical 'line of sight' or 'gaze direction', while 眼差し emphasizes the emotional quality or expression in the eyes.
目め つき 目つき refers to the look or expression in the eyes, often with a sharper or more critical nuance, whereas 眼差し is softer and more poetic.
Etymology Compound of 目 (eye) and 差し (pointing/directing), literally 'eye directing'. The kanji 眼 is a variant of 目 with a more literary feel. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since classical Japanese to describe a meaningful gaze.
finger, point to, indicate
