目玉(めだま)

めだま
noun
eyeball; main feature, highlight
1. eyeball
The physical eyeball. Also used in the expression 目玉(めだま)が飛(と)び出(で)る (eyes pop out) to express extreme surprise or shock at a price.
目玉焼(めだまや)きを作(つく)った。
I made a fried egg.
値段(ねだん)を見(み)て目玉(めだま)が飛(と)び出(で)た。
My eyes popped out when I saw the price.
子供(こども)が大(おお)きな目玉(めだま)をくりくりさせて不思議(ふしぎ)そうに見(み)ていた。
The child was looking on curiously with big, round eyes.
2. main feature, highlight, centerpiece
The most attractive or attention-grabbing item or feature, especially in sales, events, or plans.
セールの目玉(めだま)商品(しょうひん)はテレビだ。
The featured item in the sale is a TV.
この企画(きかく)の目玉(めだま)は何(なん)ですか。
What is the highlight of this project?
今回(こんかい)の予算案(よさんあん)の目玉(めだま)は、子育(こそだ)て支援(しえん)の大幅(おおはば)な拡充(かくじゅう)だ。
The centerpiece of this budget proposal is a major expansion of childcare support.

USAGE:
Sense 1: 目玉焼(めだまや)き (fried egg, literally "eyeball fry") is a very common compound. The expression 目玉(めだま)が飛(と)び出(で)る (値段(ねだん)) means the price is shockingly high.

Sense 2: Used as a modifier, 目玉(めだま)商品(しょうひん) (featured product) is standard retail language.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 目玉焼(めだまや)き: fried egg (sunny-side up)
  • 目玉(めだま)商品(しょうひん): featured product, loss leader
  • 目玉(めだま)が飛(と)び出(で)る: eyes pop out (from shock)
  • 目玉(めだま)企画(きかく): featured project/event
general
Added 2026.2.26 21:22
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