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:

この本の目次を見てください。

Kono hon no mokuji wo mite kudasai

Please look at the index of this book.

Look at the index of this book.

• この - demonstrative pronoun
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 目次 - noun that means "index"
• を - particle that indicates direct object
• 見てください - "See" in the imperative, followed by an auxiliary verb indicating "please"

この服の継ぎ目はとてもきれいです。

Kono fuku no tsugime wa totemo kirei desu

The stitching on this outfit is very beautiful.

The stitching on this outfit is very beautiful.

• この - indicates proximity, meaning "this"
• 服 - means "clothing"
• の - particle indicating possession, meaning "from"
• 継ぎ目 - means "sewing, joining"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• きれい - adjective meaning "beautiful, clean"
• です - verb to be in the polite form

この建物は私たちの目印です。

Kono tatemono wa watashitachi no mejirushi desu

This building is our reference point.

This building is our landmark.

• この - this
• 建物 - building
• は - is
• 私たちの - our
• 目印 - reference point
• です - is

一目で彼女に惚れた。

Hitome de kanojo ni horeta

I fell in love with her at first glance.

I fell in love with her quickly.

• 一目 - - "first sight"
• で - - particle that indicates the means or method used
• 彼女 - - "girlfriend"
• に - - Particle indicating the target of the action
• 惚れた - - "passionate"

お八つ目の神社に行きたいです。

O hachitsume no jinja ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the eighth sanctuary.

I want to go to the eighth sanctuary.

• お八つ目 - eighth
• の - Possession particle
• 神社 - Shinto shrine
• に - target particle
• 行きたい - want to go
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この薬の効き目はすごく強いです。

Kono kusuri no kikime wa sugoku tsuyoi desu

The effect of this medicine is very strong.

• この - this
• 薬 - medicine
• の - Possession particle
• 効き目 - effect
• は - Topic particle
• すごく - very
• 強い - strong
• です - Verb to be/estar

この服は目立つ色だ。

Kono fuku wa medatsu iro da

This outfit has a color that stands out.

These clothes are visible colors.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 服 - The noun that means "clothing" is "服" (ふく, fuku) in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 目立つ - verb that means "to attract attention" or "to be noteworthy"
• 色 - noun that means "color"
• だ - auxiliary verb that indicates the affirmative form in the present of informal language

この項目は重要です。

Kono koumoku wa juuyou desu

This is an important question.

This item is important.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 項目 - noun that means "item" or "topic"
• は - topical particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this item"
• 重要 - adjective that means "important" or "crucial"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

この会社は優秀な人材を採用することを目指しています。

Kono kaisha wa yūshūna jinzai o saiyō suru koto o mezashite imasu

This company aims to hire exceptional talent.

The company intends to hire excellent human resources.

• この会社 - This company
• は - Topic particle
• 優秀な - Great
• 人材 - Human resources
• を - Direct object particle
• 採用する - Hire
• こと - Abstract noun
• を - Direct object particle
• 目指しています - It is aimed at

この計画には明確な目標が必要です。

Kono keikaku ni wa meikaku na mokuhyō ga hitsuyō desu

This plan needs clear goals.

This plan requires a clear goal.

• この計画 - This plan
• には - require
• 明確な - Of course
• 目標 - objective
• が - is
• 必要です - necessary