What’s the Difference between 目 and 眼? Seeing Eye to Eye in Japanese

Both 目 and 眼 are pronounced め and both mean “eye”.

In many cases, they are interchangeable, but there are a few differences.

What’s the difference between 目 and 眼?

Let’s start with the conclusion and then give examples.

• 「目」 is by far the most commonly used kanji for “eye”
• In most cases, either can be used depending on the author’s preference.
• 「目」 is often used when describing the form or movement of the eye: 目(め)をつぶる (to shut one’s eyes) or general function 目(め)で見(み)る (to see with one’s eyes)
• 「眼」 while meaning the same thing (eye), it is mostly used in medical, literary, or formal purposes.
• Both are pronounced the same as standalone kanji: 「め」
• However, the on reading is different. 目 is 「もく」 or 「ぼく」 and 眼 is 「がん」
• “Eyeball” can be written as 目玉(めだま) or 眼球(がんきゅう)

Examples using 目

Literal examples:

目(め)で見(み)る

to see with one’s eye

目(め)をぱちぱちする

to blink one’s eyes

目(め)をつぶる

to close one’s eyes

More idiomatic or figurative usages

台風(たいふう)の目(め)

eye of a typhoon

魚(うお)の目(め)

corn (on one’s foot; literally, “eye of a fish”)

痛(いた)い目(め)に合(あ)う

to go through a bitter experience; to feel pain

ひいき目(め)

seeing things in a favorable light; biased view; favoritism

目立(めだ)つ

to stand out; be conspicuous

世間(せけん)の目(め)

spotlight; public eye; public opinion; in the eyes of society

目(ま)の当(あ)たりにする

to witness; see with one’s own eyes

目(め)を引(ひ)く

to catch one’s eye

Using non-め pronunciation

目的(もくてき)

purpose

目次(もくじ)

table of contents

目標(もくひょう)

target; objective

一目瞭然(いちもくりょうぜん)

obvious; clear at a glance

Examples using 眼

Using め pronunciation

眼鏡(めがね)

(eye) glasses

眼薬(めぐすり)

eye drops; eye medicine

Using がん

眼科(がんか)

ophthalmology; eye department (eye clinic)

眼圧(がんあつ)

intraocular pressure; eye pressure [the fluid pressure inside the eye to maintain the eye’s shape]

眼球(がんきゅう)

eyeball

眼底(がんてい)

fundus; back of the eye

眼孔(がんこう)

eye socket

するどい眼(め)

sharp eye; keen eyes [describes someone with a perceptive or discerning gaze, often noticing details or reading people’s emotions; 眼 here can also be read 眼(まなこ)]

Conclusion

Quick and dirty tip: if you are talking about your eyes generally (or with most idioms using the eye), use 目.

If it is a technical term or a medical reference, use 眼.