1.
one's eyes light up; to look at something with sparkling eyes
Describes the way someone's eyes shine with excitement, curiosity, or eagerness. Used to vividly convey enthusiasm or delight.
子供たちが目を輝かせた。
The children's eyes lit up.
プレゼントを見て、目を輝かせた。
Her eyes sparkled when she saw the present.
生徒たちは実験の結果を見て、目を輝かせて先生に質問した。
The students, eyes sparkling, asked their teacher questions after seeing the experiment results.
USAGE:
Typically used in narrative and descriptive contexts to convey visible excitement or delight. The subject whose eyes are sparkling is often a child, student, or someone encountering something new and exciting.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 目を輝かせて～する (to do something with sparkling eyes)
- ～を見て目を輝かせる (one's eyes light up upon seeing ~)
NUANCE:
Always positive — conveys genuine enthusiasm, wonder, or eagerness. Frequently appears in writing about children, learners, or anyone experiencing something exciting for the first time.