1.
to look through, to skim, to glance over
To read or review something quickly to get the general content without reading every detail.
報告書に目を通しておいてください。
Please look over the report.
契約書には必ず目を通すべきだ。
You should always look through contracts.
朝、新聞に目を通す。
I skim the newspaper in the morning.
資料にざっと目を通した。
I quickly glanced through the materials.
STRUCTURE: 目 (eye) + を + 通す (to pass through). Literally 'to pass one's eyes through' something.
NUANCE: Implies quick review rather than careful, thorough reading. Often used for:
- Documents, reports, contracts
- Newspapers, magazines
- Email, messages
DEGREES OF THOROUGHNESS:
- 目を通す: skim, look over (quick)
- ざっと目を通す: very quick glance
- しっかり目を通す: look through carefully
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 読む (to read) - general, neutral
- 熟読する (to read thoroughly) - careful reading
- 斜め読み (skimming) - reading diagonally
- 一読する (to read once through)
OTHER 目 EXPRESSIONS:
- 目が離せない: can't take eyes off
- 目を配る: to keep an eye on
- 目を引く: to catch one's eye