Translation and Meaning of: 目眩 - memai

The Japanese word 「目眩」 (memai) refers to the sensation of dizziness or vertigo. The etymology of the term carries with it the characters 「目」 which means "eye" and 「眩」 which usually indicates "dazzle" or "blinding." When combined, the characters convey the idea of "dazzling of the eyes," which directly alludes to the sensation of dizziness, where vision may seem blurred or unstable.

In a historical context, expressions to describe dizziness or lightheadedness have deep roots in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine. Historically, these cultures associated dizziness not only with physical problems, such as blood pressure or dehydration, but also with internal energy imbalances, known as "ki" in Japanese.

In contemporary Japan, "目眩" is a common word used in medical and everyday environments. It is often used to describe symptoms ranging from a slight sensation of dizziness to more severe imbalances that affect movement. The variation in hiragana, めまい, often appears in more informal communications, such as in daily conversations or in less technical literature.

It is interesting to note how the perception and treatment of conditions associated with 「目眩」 have evolved over the years. While in the past the explanations were more linked to holistic interpretations, currently, with the advancements of modern medicine, dizziness is commonly attributed to more specific and physical causes, resulting in more targeted treatments.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• めまい (memai) - Dizziness; feeling of imbalance.
• くらみ (kurami) - Darkening of vision; often associated with dizziness.
• ふらつき (furatsuki) - Instability; difficulty in maintaining balance, usually accompanied by dizziness.

目眩

Romaji: memai
Kana: めまい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: dizziness; vertigo

Meaning in English: dizziness;giddiness

Definition: The symptoms include dizziness when standing or walking.