一目(ひとめ)

ひとめ
noun
a glance; at first sight; public eye
1. a glance; one look
a brief look at something
一目(ひとめ)で分(わ)かった。
I understood at a glance.
一目(ひとめ)見(み)て気(き)に入(い)った。
I liked it the moment I saw it.
2. at first sight; immediately
understanding or recognizing something instantly
一目(ひとめ)で分(わ)かった。
I understood at a glance.
彼女(かのじょ)に一目(ひとめ)惚(ぼ)れした。
I fell in love with her at first sight.
3. public attention; people's eyes
being seen by others
一目(ひとめ)を気(き)にする。
To care about what people think.
一目(ひとめ)を避(さ)けて会(あ)った。
We met out of the public eye.
一目(ひとめ)のある場所(ばしょ)では話(はな)しにくい。
It's hard to talk in a place where people might see us.

一目(ひとめ) has three main uses: a brief look, instant recognition, and being seen by others.

READING NOTE:
Also read as いちもく in the compound 一目(いちもく)瞭然(りょうぜん) (perfectly clear at a glance).

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 一目(ひとめ)惚(ぼ)れ: love at first sight
  • 一目(ひとめ)置(お)く: to hold someone in respect/esteem
  • 一目(ひとめ)散(さん)に逃(に)げる: to flee at full speed
  • 一目(ひとめ)で分(わ)かる: to understand at a glance
  • 一目(ひとめ)を気(き)にする: to worry about what people think
  • 一目(ひとめ)を避(さ)ける: to avoid public attention

CONTRAST:

  • 一目(ひとめ): one glance (brief, instant)
  • 一見(いっけん): at first glance / apparently (implies a superficial impression that may be wrong)

Related Words

Homophone: 人目(ひとめ) (public eye)
general
Added 2026.1.28 12:32 · Revised 2026.4.11 9:58
08500/08728_hitome