目(め)が利(き)く

めがきく
expression
to have a good eye for, to be discerning
cognition
1. to have a good eye for, to be discerning
To have the ability to recognize quality, value, or authenticity; to be a good judge of something.
彼女(かのじょ)は骨董品(こっとうひん)に目(め)が利(き)く。
She has a good eye for antiques.
目(め)の利(き)く人(ひと)に見(み)てもらおう。
Let's have someone with a discerning eye take a look.
長年(ながねん)の経験(けいけん)で、良(よ)い品(しな)に目(め)が利(き)くようになった。
Through years of experience, I've developed an eye for quality goods.

目(め)が利(き)く literally means "one's eyes work well" and describes the ability to judge quality or value accurately. It implies trained expertise rather than innate talent.

Usage

Often used for expertise in evaluating:

Common patterns

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 目利(めき)き (a connoisseur, an expert judge)
Related: 鼻(はな)を利(き)かせる (to have a keen nose)
Compare: 目(め)が高(たか)い (to have a discerning eye)
general
Added 2026.2.5 11:47 · Revised 2026.9.28 9:58
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