耳じ目もく

also: じぼく

じ

も

く

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

eyes and ears; seeing and hearing

Refers literally to the organs or faculties of sight and hearing, often in contexts of observation or sensory input.

耳じ目もくを疑うたがうような光こう景けいだった。

It was a sight that made me doubt my own eyes and ears.

この装そう置ちは人にん間げんの耳じ目もくを模も倣ほうしている。

This device mimics human eyes and ears.

2

noun

attention; interest

Used figuratively for public attention or notice, often in phrases like 耳目を集める (attract attention) or 耳目を引く (catch one's eye/ear).

その事じ件けんは世せ間けんの耳じ目もくを集あつめた。
The incident attracted public attention.
彼かれの新しん作さくは多おおくの耳じ目もくを引ひいている。
His new work is drawing a lot of interest.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉が耳じ目もくを引ひくfor something to catch people's attention
そのニュースは世せ間けんの耳じ目もくを引ひいた。
The news caught the public's attention.

Expressions

耳じ目もくに触ふれるcome to one's notice; come to one's attention
耳じ目もくを集あつめるattract attention; capture interest
耳じ目もくを驚おどろかすtake by surprise; startle; shock

Kanji

耳ear
目eye, class, look

Related words

注ちゅう目もくN3sense 2
注目 is a general word for 'attention' or 'notice', while 耳目 specifically evokes the image of eyes and ears turning toward something, often implying widespread public notice.
関かん心しんN3sense 2
関心 describes a person's own interest or concern in something, whereas 耳目 describes the state of being watched or noticed by others.

Written forms

耳目Usage100%
- じもく
  Standard kanji form; the reading じもく is the most common.
- じぼく
  Rare reading; じもく is strongly preferred in modern Japanese.
じぼく

Etymology

Compound of 耳 (ear) and 目 (eye), literally 'ears and eyes'. The figurative sense of 'attention' derives naturally from the idea of people's ears and eyes being directed toward something.