目(め)が離(はな)せない

めがはなせない
expression
can't take one's eyes off, captivating
expression
1. captivating, riveting, can't look away
Describes something so interesting or beautiful that one cannot stop watching.
この映画(えいが)は目(め)が離(はな)せない。
This movie is so captivating I can't look away.
彼女(かのじょ)のダンスから目(め)が離(はな)せなかった。
I couldn't take my eyes off her dance.
試合(しあい)の展開(てんかい)が面白(おもしろ)くて、最後(さいご)まで目(め)が離(はな)せなかった。
The game was so interesting that I couldn't look away until the very end.
今(いま)最(もっと)も目(め)が離(はな)せない若手(わかて)選手(せんしゅ)だ。
He's the most captivating young player right now.
舞台(ぶたい)の上(うえ)で踊(おど)る彼女(かのじょ)は美(うつく)しくて、一瞬(いっしゅん)も目(め)が離(はな)せなかった。
She was so beautiful dancing on stage that I couldn't look away for even a moment.
2. requires constant attention, can't leave unattended
Describes someone or something that needs continuous watching for safety reasons.
小(ちい)さい子供(こども)からは目(め)が離(はな)せない。
You can't take your eyes off small children.
今後(こんご)の動向(どうこう)から目(め)が離(はな)せない。
We need to keep a close eye on future developments.
猫(ねこ)が病気(びょうき)で、一日中(いちにちじゅう)目(め)が離(はな)せない。
The cat is sick, so I can't take my eyes off it all day.
赤(あか)ちゃんが歩(ある)き始(はじ)めたので、前(まえ)よりもっと目(め)が離(はな)せなくなった。
The baby started walking, so I have to watch even more carefully than before.
この患者(かんじゃ)は容態(ようだい)が不安定(ふあんてい)で、しばらく目(め)が離(はな)せない状態(じょうたい)が続(つづ)く。
This patient's condition is unstable, and they'll need constant attention for a while.

Structure: 目(め) (eye) + が + 離(はな)せない (cannot release). Literally 'cannot release one's eyes.'

Two nuances

1. Positive: Something is so fascinating you want to keep watching
2. Practical: Something requires attention for safety/caution

Similar words

Related words

Related Words

Compare: 手(て)が離(はな)せない (hands are full)
Related: 釘付(くぎづ)け (riveted, captivated)
Related: 目(め)を通(とお)す (look through, skim)
Compare: 目(め)を離(はな)す (to look away, take one's eyes off)
Related: 見入(みい)る (to gaze at, be absorbed in watching)
core
Added 2026.1.18 19:03 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
06500/06890_megahanasenai