Japanese word

目立つ

Pronunciation

Romajimedatsu

Meaning

  • verbstand out

Example

この赤い服は目立ちます。ko no aka i fuku wa me da chi ma su

This red outfit stands out.

Illustration for 目立つ (stand out)

More examples

この帽子をかぶると、遠くからでも目立ちます。ko no bō shi o ka bu ru to tō ku ka ra de mo me da chi ma su

When you wear this hat, you stand out even from far away.

Core concept

Describes something that becomes more noticeable than its surroundings and naturally draws attention.

Common phrases

  • 目立つ服me da tsu fuku

    eye-catching clothes

  • 目立つ色me da tsu iro

    an eye-catching color

Similar words

際立つkiwadatsu: To be easy to notice because of a strong difference in color, shape, size, or quality.
浮くuku: To seem out of place because of a difference from the surrounding people or things.
映えるhaeru: To appear especially attractive or noticeable when seen with a particular background.
引き立つhikitatsu: To appear more noticeable because nearby people or things make the difference clearer.

Definition in Japanese

周囲のものより際立って見え、人の注意を引く。shū i no mo no yo ri kiwa da tte mi e hito no chū i o hi ku

Word origin

The native Japanese word 目立つ (medatsu) joins 目 (me, "eye") with 立つ (tatsu, "stand") to express standing out visually.

Usage tips

  • Like English "stand out," 目立つ (medatsu) can describe a person or thing that attracts attention without saying whether this is intentional.

Other meanings

  • be conspicuousverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 目立ち方medachikataway of standing outnoun
  • 目立ちたがるmedachitagaruwant to stand outverb

Word lists with this word