1.
aim, purpose, goal
What one is aiming for or trying to achieve. Often used to describe the real objective behind an action.
彼の目当ては金だ。
His aim is money.
何が目当てで来たんですか。
What did you come for?
財産目当てで近づいてくる人には気をつけたほうがいい。
You should be careful of people who approach you for your money.
2.
attraction, draw
The main thing one wants to see, get, or experience. Used with お to form お目当て.
お目当ての商品は売り切れだった。
The product I was after was sold out.
桜が目当てで京都に行った。
I went to Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms.
限定スイーツをお目当てに、朝早くから行列ができていた。
People were lining up from early morning to get the limited-edition sweets.
USAGE:
Sense 1 often appears in the pattern ～目当てで (for the purpose of ~) or ～が目当て (one's aim is ~). Can carry a negative nuance when describing ulterior motives: 金目当て (after money).
Sense 2 uses the polite prefix お: お目当て (the thing one is looking for). Common in shopping and tourism contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お目当ての商品: the product one is after
- 金目当て: after money
- ～を目当てに: aiming for ~
- 何が目当て: what's the goal