What is the Kanji for "Eye"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Eye", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Eye" is "目".

This kanji has 2 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Me".

Its onyomi reading is "Moku".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The kanji "二" means "Two" and can be read as "Futa" and "Ni". And The kanji "口" means "Mouth" and can be read as "Ku", "Kuchi", and "Kou".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "目" mean in japanese?

"目" means "Eye".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in First Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N4 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

目: "Eye". The Japanese noun '目 (め)' refers to the organ of vision. It is used to describe the eyes of people, animals, and even inanimate objects. The word can also be used figuratively to mean 'point of view' or 'attention'. For example: Your eyes are beautiful - (あなたの目は美しい). I have my eye on that job - (その仕事に目をつけている).

駄目: "Useless" or "No good". The Japanese adjectival noun '駄目 (だめ)' means 'useless' or 'no good'. It is used to describe something that is not fit for a particular purpose or is substandard in quality. This word can be applied to objects, ideas, or people. For example: This pen is no good - (このペンは駄目だ). She is useless at cooking - (彼女は料理が駄目だ).

目的: "Purpose". The Japanese noun '目的 (もくてき)' means 'purpose'. This word refers to the goal, aim or intention that someone or something is trying to achieve. It can be used to describe the reason or motivation behind an action or decision. For example: My purpose in life is to help others - (私の人生の目的は他人を助けることだ). The company's main purpose is to make a profit - (その会社の主な目的は利益を得ることである).

目覚まし時計: "Alarm clock". The Japanese noun '目覚まし時計 (めざましどけい)' refers to an alarm clock, a device used to wake someone up at a specific time. Alarm clocks are commonly used to ensure people wake up in the morning for work, school, or other activities. For example: I set my alarm clock to wake me up at 7am - (私は7時に目覚めるよう目覚まし時計をかけた).

目標: "Goal". The Japanese noun '目標 (もくひょう)' means 'goal'. This noun refers to an aim, ambition or objective that someone or something is striving to achieve. It can be used in various contexts such as personal, professional or academic goals. For example: My goal is to learn Japanese - (私の目標は日本語を学ぶことです). She has set ambitious goals for her career - (彼女は自分の仕事について野心的な目標を立てている).

目指す: "Aim" or "Aspire". The Japanese verb '目指す (めざす)' means 'to aim' or 'to aspire'. It is used to indicate that someone or something is striving towards a particular goal or objective. This verb can be used in both concrete and abstract contexts. For example: She aims to become a doctor - (彼女は医者になるよう目指している). I aspire to be a great musician - (私は素晴らしい音楽家になることを目指している).

注目: "Attention". The Japanese verbal noun '注目 (ちゅうもく)' means 'attention'. It is used to refer to the act of focusing one's interest or awareness on something. This word can be used to describe bringing attention to a certain issue, idea, or event. For example: The news story received a lot of attention - (その記事は大きな注目を集めた). They paid close attention to the speaker - (彼らはその講演者に注目していた).

目立つ: "Stand out" or "Be conspicuous". The Japanese verb '目立つ (めだつ)' means 'to stand out' or 'to be conspicuous'. This verb is used to describe something or someone that attracts attention or is noticeable in a crowd or environment. For example: Her bright red dress stood out at the party - (彼女の赤い洋服が、パーティーで目立っていた). The new building really stands out in the neighborhood - (その新しい建物は、近所ですごく目立っています).

項目: "Item". The Japanese noun '項目 (こうもく)' means 'item'. It refers to a single element or unit within a larger list, document, or structure. It can be used in contexts such as lists, tables, menus, or outlines to denote a distinct piece of information or a specific point. For example: There are 5 items on the menu - (メニューには5つの項目がある). Please review the items on the agenda - (議事録の各項目を確認してください).

真面目: "Serious". The adjectival noun '真面目 (まじめ)' means 'serious'. This word is used to describe someone or something that is earnest, diligent, and focused. It connotes a sense of responsibility, dedication, and conscientiousness. For example: He is a serious student - (彼は真面目な学生だ). I have a serious attitude about my work - (私は仕事に真面目な態度を持っている).

種目: "Event". The Japanese noun '種目 (しゅもく)' refers to an individual event or competition within a larger sporting competition or tournament. It is commonly used in the context of sports, such as the Olympics or other multi-event competitions, to describe the specific events that athletes participate in. For example: My favorite event is the 100m sprint - (私の好きな種目は100メートル走です). The gymnastics events were very exciting - (体操の種目がとてもエキサイティングでした).

効き目: "Effect". The Japanese noun '効き目 (ききめ)' refers to the 'effect' or impact of something, such as a medication, treatment, or action. It describes the outcome or result that is produced. For example: The medicine had a good effect - (その薬の効き目はよかった). The training had a great effect on her performance - (その練習の効き目がとてもよかった彼女の成績に).

お目に掛かる: "Meet". The verb 'お目に掛かる (おめにかかる)' means 'to meet'. This polite verb is used when one is meeting or encountering someone, often someone of higher status or importance. For example: I was able to meet the manager - (部長にお目に掛かることができました). I look forward to meeting you - (お目に掛かれることを楽しみにしています).

目上: "Superior" or "Senior". The Japanese noun '目上 (めうえ)' refers to a person who is in a higher position or of higher status than oneself. It is often used to describe superiors, elders, or those deserving of respect. For example: I must be polite to my superior - (目上の人には丁寧にしなければならない). My senior colleague gave me some advice - (目上の同僚がアドバイスをくれた).

目方: "Weight". The Japanese noun '目方 (めかた)' means 'weight'. This word refers to the heaviness or mass of an object, typically measured in units such as kilograms or grams. It is commonly used when discussing the weight of items, for example: This book has a weight of 500 grams - (この本の目方は500グラムです).

目下: "Now" or "Currently". The noun '目下 (めした)' refers to the present time or current situation. It is used to indicate that something is happening or taking place at the moment. This word is commonly used in formal or polite speech to indicate the current state of affairs. For example: I am currently very busy - (目下大変忙しいです). The company's focus is now on expanding overseas - (目下当社は海外進出に力を入れています).

目覚ましい: "Amazing" or "Startling". The Japanese adjective '目覚ましい (めざましい)' can mean 'amazing' or 'startling'. It is used to describe something that is extraordinary, outstanding, or that comes as a surprise. This word can be used to express admiration or astonishment. For example: The magician's trick was amazing - (マジシャンのトリックは目覚ましかった). The news of their engagement was startling - (彼らの婚約の知らせは目覚ましかった).

目覚まし: "Alarm". The Japanese noun '目覚まし (めざまし)' refers to an 'alarm', a device used to wake someone up at a specific time. It is commonly used to describe a clock with an alarm function. For example: I set my alarm for 7 AM - (私は7時に目覚まし時計をセットしました). The alarm woke me up - (目覚まし時計が私を起こした).

役目: "Role". The noun '役目 (やくめ)' refers to the part that one plays, the function or duty that one has. It can be used to describe someone's role or responsibilities within a group, organization, or society. For example: My role is to cook the meals - (私の役目は食事を作ることです). She has an important role in the company - (彼女は会社で重要な役目を持っている).

一目: "Glance". The Japanese noun '一目 (いちもく)' means 'glance'. It refers to a brief look or glimpse at something. This word can be used to describe a quick look, a cursory inspection, or even a moment of sudden understanding. For example: I took a glance at the document - (書類を一目見た). She gave him a glance across the room - (彼女は部屋の向こうから彼を一目見た).

丁目: "Block". The Japanese suffix '丁目 (ちょうめ)' refers to a specific city block or neighborhood unit. It is commonly used in Japanese addresses to identify a specific area within a larger city or town. The suffix '丁目' indicates a numbered city block, with the number preceding it denoting the block number. For example: 1-chōme (first block) - (1丁目). This suffix provides specificity to an address and helps to identify a more precise location within a larger area.

目撃: "Witness". The noun '目撃 (もくげき)' means 'witness'. This word refers to someone who has directly observed an event, such as a crime or accident, and can provide firsthand testimony about what they saw. '目撃者' is the term for a witness. Example: The witness provided crucial information about the robbery - (目撃者は強盗事件について重要な情報を提供した).

目覚める: "Awake". The Japanese verb '目覚める (めざめる)' means 'to awake'. This verb is used to describe the action of waking up, either from sleep or a state of unconsciousness. It can be used for both people and animals. For example: I woke up early this morning - (今朝早く目覚めた). The baby woke up crying - (赤ちゃんが泣いて目覚めた).

目次: "Table of contents" or "Index". The Japanese word '目次 (もくじ)' refers to the table of contents or index section of a book, document or website. It provides an organized overview of the contents, typically listing the titles or page numbers of the main sections or chapters. For example: The table of contents is at the beginning of the book - (本の冒頭に目次がある). I always check the table of contents first when reading a new book - (新しい本を読むときは、まず目次を確認する).

目薬: "Eye drops". The Japanese noun '目薬 (めぐすり)' refers to eye drops, which are a type of liquid medication applied to the eyes to treat various conditions such as eye irritation, infection, or dryness. They are commonly used to soothe and lubricate the eyes. For example: I need to use eye drops for my dry eyes - (乾燥した目に目薬を使わなければなりません).

目的地: "Destination". The Japanese noun '目的地 (もくてきち)' means 'destination'. It refers to the place where someone or something is going, or the final point of a journey. This word is commonly used when discussing travel plans, directions, or the end goal of an activity. For example: I arrived at my destination - (私は目的地に到着した). The destination is far away - (目的地はとても遠い).

科目: "Subject". The Japanese noun '科目 (かもく)' refers to an academic subject or course of study. It is commonly used in the context of education, such as when discussing the subjects that students take at school or university. For example: Math is my favorite subject - (数学がいちばん好きな科目です). What subjects are you taking this semester? - (今学期はどんな科目を取っていますか?).

目印: "Mark". The noun '目印 (めじるし)' means 'mark'. It refers to a visible object or feature that helps identify a location, direction, or specific item. '目印' can be used to indicate a landmark, a sign, or a distinctive characteristic that helps guide or orient someone. For example: The red flag is a mark to show the entrance - (赤い旗は入り口を示す目印です). The tower is a useful mark for finding my house - (あの塔は私の家を見つける良い目印です).

目茶苦茶: "Crazy" or "Chaotic". The adjectival noun '目茶苦茶 (めちゃくちゃ)' has two main meanings. The first is 'crazy', used to describe something or someone that is extremely wild, chaotic or irrational. For example: The party was crazy - (パーティーは目茶苦茶だった). The second meaning is 'chaotic', used to describe a situation or environment that is extremely messy, disorganized or lacking in order. For example: My room is so chaotic - (私の部屋はとても目茶苦茶だ).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "め" is read as "me". The hiragana "も" is read as "mo". And The hiragana "く" is read as "ku".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.