1.
inner corner of the eye
The area where the upper and lower eyelids meet near the nose. Often referenced in emotional contexts.
目頭が熱くなった。
My eyes welled up with tears.
Literally 'the inner corners of my eyes got hot.' A common expression for being moved to tears.
感動して目頭を押さえた。
I was so moved that I pressed the corners of my eyes.
卒業式で子どもの姿を見て、思わず目頭が熱くなった。
Seeing my child at the graduation ceremony, I couldn't help but tear up.
USAGE: Most commonly appears in the set expression 目頭が熱くなる (to have tears well up, to be moved to tears). This is a more restrained, literary way of expressing being moved than simply saying 泣く.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 目頭が熱くなる: to tear up, to be moved to tears
- 目頭を押さえる: to press the inner corners of one's eyes (to hold back tears)
ANATOMY: Contrasts with 目尻 (outer corner of the eye).