まなざし

まなざし
noun
gaze; look; eyes
1. gaze; look; eyes; way of looking
The expression or quality of someone's eyes as they look at something. Often implies emotional depth or a particular attitude conveyed through one's eyes.
(やさ)しいまなざしで()つめた。
She gazed with gentle eyes.
子供(こども)たちの真剣(しんけん)なまなざしが印象的(いんしょうてき)だった。
The children's earnest gazes were impressive.
(きび)しいまなざしを()けられて、(おも)わず()をそらした。
When a stern gaze was directed at me, I instinctively looked away.

USAGE:
A literary, evocative word more common in writing than casual speech. Emphasizes the emotional quality or attitude conveyed through someone's eyes, not just the physical act of looking.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (やさ)しいまなざし (a gentle gaze)
  • (きび)しいまなざし (a stern gaze)
  • (あつ)いまなざし (a passionate gaze)
  • まなざしを()ける (to direct one's gaze)

ORTHOGRAPHY:
Also written as 眼差(まなざ)し in kanji, but the hiragana form is more common.