Japanese word

目

Pronunciation

Romajime

Meaning

  • nouneye

Example

目を開けます。me o a ke ma su

I open my eyes.

Illustration for 目 (eye)

More examples

私は目が大きいです。watashi wa me ga ō ki i de su

My eyes are big.

眠いので、目をこすります。nemu i no de me o ko su ri ma su

I rub my eyes because I am sleepy.

Core concept

Refers to the part of the face that senses light and enables sight.

Common phrases

  • 目が痛いme ga ita i

    have sore eyes

  • 目を開けるme o a ke ru

    open one's eyes

  • 目を閉じるme o to ji ru

    close one's eyes

  • 目を合わせるme o a wa se ru

    make eye contact

  • 目に入るme ni hai ru

    catch one's eye

Definition in Japanese

視覚をつかさどる顔の器官。shi kaku o tsu ka sa do ru kao no ki kan

Word origin

The reading 目 (me, "eye") comes from an old native Japanese word, and the kanji 目 (moku, "eye") represents its basic meaning.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 目 (me) can mean either "eye" or "eyes," because the noun does not normally change form for singular and plural.

Word lists with this word