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:

目蓋が重いです。

Megusuri ga omoi desu

My eyes are heavy.

The eyes are heavy.

• 目蓋 (me mabuta) - pálpebra
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 重い (omoi) - pesado
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

煙が目にしみる。

Kemuri ga me ni shimiru

The smoke is annoying my eyes.

The smoke is soaked.

• 煙 (kemuri) - smoke
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 目 (me) - olho
• に (ni) - target particle
• しみる (shimiru) - penetrate, enter (in this case, the smoke enters the eyes)

手段は目的を達成するための重要な要素です。

Shudan wa mokuteki o tassei suru tame no juuyou na youso desu

The means are an important element in achieving a goal.

A means is an important factor in achieving your goals.

• 手段 (shudan) - meios
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 目的 (mokuteki) - objective
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 達成する (tassei suru) - Achieve, accomplish
• ための (tame no) - from, to
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 要素 (yousou) - element
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

幸せは人生の最高の目的です。

Shiawase wa jinsei no saikou no mokuteki desu

Happiness is the ultimate goal of life.

Happiness is the best purpose of life.

• 幸せ - happiness
• は - Topic particle
• 人生 - life
• の - Possession particle
• 最高 - the best
• の - Possession particle
• 目的 - objective
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

小児科は子供の健康を守るために重要な科目です。

Shounika wa kodomo no kenkou wo mamoru tame ni juuyou na kamoku desu

Pediatrics is an important discipline to protect the health of children.

Pediatrics is an important matter to protect your child's health.

• 小児科 - pediatric medical specialty
• 子供 - child
• 健康 - health
• 守る - protect
• ために - for
• 重要 - important
• 科目 - disciplina
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

完璧を目指す。

Kanpeki wo mezasu

Aiming for perfection.

Aim for perfection.

• 完璧 (kanpeki) - perfeição
• を (wo) - object particle
• 目指す (mezasu) - aim, aim

勝ちを目指して頑張ります。

Kachi wo mezashite ganbarimasu

I will strive to achieve victory.

I will do my best to win.

• 勝ち - victory
• を - object particle
• 目指して - aiming, looking
• 頑張ります - I will do my best, I will strive.

出鱈目なことを言わないでください。

Detsuraku me na koto wo iwanai de kudasai

Please don't say meaningless things.

Don't say anything bad.

• 出鱈目 (shutsudzareme) - nonsense, absurd
• な (na) - particle that indicates negation or prohibition
• こと (koto) - thing, subject
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 言わないで (iwanaide) - do not say
• ください (kudasai) - Please

この商品の目安は３日間です。

Kono shouhin no meyasu wa san nichi kan desu

The estimated time for this product is three days.

The default for this product is 3 days.

• この商品の目安 - indication of this product
• は - Topic particle
• ３日間 - three days
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この荷物の目方はどのくらいですか？

Kono nimotsu no mihodo wa dono kurai desu ka?

How's that luggage eye?

How's that luggage eye?

• この荷物 - "this package"
• の - Possessive particle
• 目方 - "weight"
• は - Topic particle
• どのくらい - "how much"
• ですか - interrogative particle