Japanese word

目当て

Pronunciation

Romajimeate

Meaning

  • nounpurpose

Example

この旅行の目当ては料理です。ko no ryo kō no me a te wa ryō ri de su

The purpose of this trip is the food.

Illustration for 目当て (purpose)

More examples

子どもたちは景品を目当てに、ゲームを頑張りました。ko do mo ta chi wa kei hin o me a te ni gē mu o gan ba ri ma shi ta

The children worked hard at the game, hoping to win the prizes.

Core concept

Marks the intended point that an action or plan is directed toward, whether it is a goal or a specific target.

Common phrases

  • 目当てに集まるme a te ni atsu ma ru

    gather for ___

  • 目当ての店me a te no mise

    the shop one is looking for

  • 目当てが外れるme a te ga hazu re ru

    miss one's target

Similar words

目的mokuteki: An abstract purpose that gives an action its intended direction.
狙いnerai: An intended result or target that guides an action or plan.
目標mokuhyō: A result or standard that is set as something to work toward.

Definition in Japanese

行動や計画を進める際に、実現しようとする目的や目標。kō dō ya kei kaku o susu me ru sai ni jitsu gen shi yō to su ru moku teki ya moku hyō

Word origin

目当て (meate) is a native Japanese compound of 目 (me, "point or target") and 当て (ate, "aim or object of reliance"), forming the sense of something an action is directed toward.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 目当て (meate) often refers to the specific thing someone is seeking, while 目的 (mokuteki) is more formal for an abstract purpose.

Other meanings

  • targetnoun

Word lists with this word