Translation and Meaning of: 目 - me

The Japanese word 「目」 (me) is an ideogram that serves multiple functions in the Japanese language. Its primary meaning is "eye," but it can also refer to aspects such as "point," "interest," and even "number" when combined with other kanji. The use of 「目」 is extensive and versatile, making it an essential word in Japanese vocabulary.

Etymologically, 「目」 is a kanji that traces back to archaic Chinese, graphically representing an eye. This kanji is composed of the radical "囗" (kuchi), which symbolizes an opening or mouth, and the additional part that gives it the specific meaning of eye. This visual concept well reflects its main function related to vision and sight. The origin of this ideogram emphasizes its historical connection with the pictographic representations that inspired many of the Chinese characters adopted by Japanese.

In addition to its literal meaning, 「目」 is used in various expressions and compounds. For example, in the expression 「目的」 (mokuteki), which means "purpose" or "goal", the kanji combines with 「的」 (teki) to form a more abstract term. Another common usage is in 「注目」 (chumoku), which means "attention", illustrating how the concept of "looking" expands to describe focus or interest in something specific. The use of the kanji can also indicate order or sequence, as in the case of 「一番目」 (ichibanme), which means "the first".

The versatility of 「目」 is not limited to compound words; its use is fundamental in daily sentences and conversational structures. The various connotations and the flexibility of application make this term a vital and everyday part of Japanese, enriching the language and providing multiple forms of expression from a single root. Understanding the diverse applications and nuances of 「目」 is crucial for any serious student of the Japanese language.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 眼 (gan) - Eye (general vision)
• 眸 (bō) - Eyes (in a more poetic or artistic sense)
• 眼球 (gankyū) - Eyeball
• 目玉 (medama) - Eye (physical, or the "eye of an object")
• 目覚める (mezameru) - Awaken (literally or figuratively, open the eyes)
• 見る (miru) - See (the act of seeing something)
• 見える (mieru) - Visible (something that can be seen)
• 見つめる (mitsumeru) - Stare (to look intensely)
• 見守る (mimamoru) - Observe carefully (with care and attention)
• 見渡す (miwatasu) - Look around (examining a wide area)
• 見抜く (minuku) - Understand (see beyond the surface)
• 見破る (mihaburu) - Unmask (discover the hidden truth)
• 見極める (mikiwameru) - Determine (assess accurately)
• 見通す (mitōsu) - Foresee (see through something)
• 見込む (mikomu) - To count on (to have expectations about something)
• 見逃す (mienogasu) - Lose sight of (not notice or fail to perceive)
• 見捨てる (misuteru) - Abandon (to leave aside, in terms of regard or consideration)
• 見限る (mikagiru) - Give up (lose confidence, no longer expect anything from it)
• 見送る (miokuru) - Saying goodbye (seeing something depart)
• 見舞う (miyau) - Visit (especially someone who is ill or in need)
• 見合わせる (miawaseru) - Stop to observe (take a break to see what's happening)
• 見合い (miai) - Meeting (a meeting to marry)
• 見学 (kengaku) - Study visit (observing for educational purposes)
• 見本 (mihon) - Model (example or sample for reference)
• 見出し (midashi) - Title (header or title of an article)
• 見積もり (mitsumori) - Estimate (cost calculation or forecast)
• 見解 (kenkai) - Opinion (point of view or perspective)
• 見識 (kenshiki) - Knowledge (wisdom or understanding)
• 見地 (kenchi) - Point of view (perspective or angle of vision)
• 見方 (mikata) - Way of seeing (opinion or approach)
• 見苦しい (mikurushii) - Ugly (something that is unpleasant to the eye)
• 見栄え (miba-e) - Appearance (how something visually presents itself)

目

Romaji: me
Kana: め
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: eye; eyeball

Meaning in English: eye;eyeball

Definition: The ability to feel things in the external world through the visual organs.

Example Sentences - (目) me

See below some example sentences:

頂点を目指して努力し続ける。

Chouten wo mezashite doryoku shitsuzukeru

Keep striving to reach the top.

Keep aiming for the top.

• 頂点 - top, peak
• を - direct object particle
• 目指して - To aim, to have as a goal
• 努力 - effort, commitment
• し続ける - keep doing

私たちは目標を達成しました。すべてが完了しました。

Watashitachi wa mokuhyō o tassei shimashita. Subete ga ryō deshita

We reached our goal. Everything is finished.

We achieved our goals. Everything has been completed.

• 私たちは - We
• 目標を - objective
• 達成しました - we reached
• すべてが - everything
• 完了しました - has been completed

初めての人目は緊張します。

Hajimete no hitome wa kinchou shimasu

The first time you are seen by someone it can be nervous.

My first person is nervous.

• 初めての (hajimete no) - First time
• 人目 (hitome) - someone's look
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 緊張します (kinchou shimasu) - get nervous

下位のポジションから上を目指す。

Kawai no pojishon kara ue o mezasu

Aiming high from a lower position.

Aim from the bottom position.

• 下位 - means "lower position".
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• ポジション - a word borrowed from English meaning "position".
• から - particle indicating origin or starting point.
• 上 - means "superior".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 目指す - verb meaning "to aim for" or "to aim at".

お目出度うございます！

Omedetou gozaimasu!

Congratulations!

Good eye!

• お - honorific
• 目出度う - cheerful, promising
• ございます - polished, formal

駄目なことはやめましょう。

Dame na koto wa yamemashou

Let's stop doing useless things.

Let's stop doing anything.

• 駄目 (dame) - means "useless" or "inappropriate"
• な (na) - a particle indicating a negation or restriction
• こと (koto) - means "thing" or "subject"
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• やめましょう (yamemashou) - means "let's stop" or "let's stop doing"

彼は面目を失った。

Kare wa menboku o ushinatta

Ele perdeu a face.

Ele perdeu o rosto.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 面目 - substantivo japonês que significa "honra" ou "dignidade"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 失った - verbo japonês no passado que significa "perder"

彼女の派手な服装が目立つ。

Kanojo no hadena fukusō ga medatsu

Her flashy clothes stand out.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 派手 (hade) - extravagant, flashy
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 服装 (fukusou) - clothing, attire
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 目立つ (medatsu) - highlight, draw attention

私たちは目標を定めて努力します。

Watashitachi wa mokuhyō o sadameru shite doryoku shimasu

We set goals and strive to achieve them.

We set goals and we will work hard.

• 私たちは - We
• 目標を - Objetivos
• 定めて - Definimos
• 努力します - We strive

私は昇進を目指して頑張ります。

Watashi wa shōshin o mezashite ganbarimasu

I will strive to get promoted.

I will do my best to promote.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 昇進 (shoushin) - Japanese noun meaning "promotion"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 目指して (mezashite) - Japanese verb meaning "to aim" or "to aim for"
• 頑張ります (ganbarimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to do one's best" or "to strive"