Japanese word

目玉

Pronunciation

Romajimedama

Meaning

  • nouneyeball

Example

この人形は目玉が大きいです。ko no nin gyō wa me dama ga ō ki i de su

This doll has big eyeballs.

Illustration for 目玉 (eyeball)

More examples

この人形の目玉を近くで見てください。ko no nin gyō no me dama o chika ku de mi te ku da sa i

Please look closely at this doll's eyes.

Core concept

Centers on a visible central feature, literally the round organ in the eye and figuratively the part that attracts the most attention.

Common phrases

  • 目玉が大きいme dama ga ō ki i

    big eyeballs

  • 目玉の色me dama no iro

    color of an eyeball

  • 目玉にごみが入るme dama ni go mi ga hai ru

    get a speck in one's eye

Similar words

眼球gankyū: The spherical organ in the eye socket that receives light and supports vision.
めんたまmentama: The eyeball described in an informal and sometimes playful way.

Definition in Japanese

目の中にある球状の器官、または人や物事の中で特に目立つ重要な部分。me no naka ni a ru kyū jō no ki kan ma ta wa hito ya mono goto no naka de toku ni me da tsu jū yō na bu bun

Word origin

目玉 (medama) is a native Japanese compound of 目 (me, "eye") and 玉 (tama, "ball"), describing the eye as a ball and extending to something that stands out.

Usage tips

  • Japanese advertisements often use 目玉 (medama) for a featured offer, program, or attraction, especially when presenting one item as the main reason to pay attention.

Other meanings

  • highlightnoun

Word lists with this word