Japanese word

人目

Pronunciation

Romajihitome

Meaning

  • nounpublic eye

Example

人目につかない場所で待ちます。hito me ni tsu ka na i ba sho de ma chi ma su

I wait in a place out of the public eye.

Illustration for 人目 (public eye)

More examples

その服は人目を引きます。so no fuku wa hito me o hi ki ma su

That outfit attracts public attention.

Core concept

Describes the awareness or gaze directed at someone or something by people nearby or by the public.

Common phrases

  • 人目を気にするhito me o ki ni su ru

    care about public attention

  • 人目につくhito me ni tsu ku

    attract public attention

  • 人目を避けるhito me o sa ke ru

    avoid public attention

Similar words

注目chūmoku: Attention that is deliberately focused on a person or thing.
視線shisen: The direction of a person's look toward someone or something.
衆目shūmoku: The collective attention or gaze of many people.

Definition in Japanese

周囲の人々から向けられる視線や関心。shū i no hito bito ka ra mu ke ra re ru shi sen ya kan shin

Word origin

人目 (hitome) combines the native words 人 (hito, "person") and 目 (me, "eye"), expressing the eyes and attention of people in general.

Usage tips

  • Unlike 注目 (chūmoku), which highlights focused interest, 人目 (hitome) often concerns the general awareness of people around someone, especially in private situations.

Other meanings

  • attentionnoun

Word lists with this word