1.
to squint; to narrow one's eyes
To physically narrow one's eyes, typically when looking at something bright or trying to see something at a distance.
眩しくて目を細めた。
I squinted because it was dazzling.
強い日差しに目を細めながら歩いた。
I walked squinting against the strong sunlight.
遠くの看板の文字を読もうと目を細めた。
I squinted trying to read the letters on a distant sign.
2.
to look fondly at; to beam with pleasure
To narrow one's eyes with a smile of affection or pleasure, typically when looking at something or someone dear, such as a grandchild or a beloved scene.
祖母は孫を見て目を細めた。
The grandmother looked fondly at her grandchild.
子供たちの元気な姿に目を細める。
I beam with pleasure at the children's energetic appearance.
久しぶりに帰省した息子の成長ぶりに、両親は目を細めていた。
The parents looked fondly at how much their son had grown, who had come home for the first time in a while.
USAGE:
This expression has two distinct usages. Sense 1 (squinting) is a physical action against bright light or to see better. Sense 2 (looking fondly) describes the warm, pleased expression of someone gazing at something dear to them — the eyes naturally narrow in a gentle smile. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
SIMILAR WORDS:
目を細める (sense 2) is similar to 目を輝かせる (eyes sparkling with excitement), but 目を細める conveys gentle, warm affection rather than excitement.