見 開(みひら)く

みひらく

verb-godan

to open (eyes) wide

1. to open one's eyes wide

To open one's eyes wide, typically in surprise, shock, or intense concentration. Used almost exclusively with 目 (eyes) as the object.

目(め)を見開(みひら)いて驚(おどろ)いた。

I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

彼女(かのじょ)は目(め)を見開(みひら)いてこちらを見(み)つめた。

She stared at me with her eyes wide open.

真実(しんじつ)を知(し)った彼(かれ)は、信(しん)じられないという顔(かお)で目(め)を見開(みひら)いた。

Upon learning the truth, he opened his eyes wide with a look of disbelief.

USAGE:
見開(みひら)く is a compound verb from 見(み) (see) and 開(ひら)く (to open), used almost exclusively in the phrase 目(め)を見開(みひら)く. It is a vivid, somewhat literary expression, common in novels and narrative writing to convey shock, determination, or intense focus.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

目(め)を見開(みひら)く: to open one's eyes wide
大(おお)きく目(め)を見開(みひら)く: to open one's eyes very wide
見開(みひら)いた目(め): wide-open eyes

general

Added 2026.2.28 10:18

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