目(め)を見張(みは)る

めをみはる
expression
to be amazed; to stare in wonder; to be astonished
emotion
1. to be amazed; to stare wide-eyed; to be astonished
To open one's eyes wide in amazement, surprise, or admiration.
目(め)を見張(みは)るような景色(けしき)だった。
It was a breathtaking view.
彼女(かのじょ)の成長(せいちょう)ぶりには目(め)を見張(みは)るものがある。
Her growth is truly remarkable.
この十年(じゅうねん)で、テクノロジーは目(め)を見張(みは)るほどの進歩(しんぽ)を遂(と)げた。
Over the past ten years, technology has made astonishing progress.

Literally "to open one's eyes wide and stare," this expression is used to describe being amazed or astonished by something impressive. Almost always used in a positive sense — expressing admiration or wonder rather than shock or fear.

Usage

  • Most commonly used in the patterns:
  • 目(め)を見張(みは)るような + noun (an astonishing ~)
  • 目(め)を見張(みは)るものがある (there is something remarkable about ~)
  • 目(め)を見張(みは)るほど (to an astonishing degree)
  • Expresses positive amazement, not negative surprise
  • Common in written Japanese, journalism, and formal speech

Common collocations

  • 目(め)を見張(みは)るような成長(せいちょう): remarkable growth
  • 目(め)を見張(みは)るような美(うつく)しさ: breathtaking beauty
  • 目(め)を見張(みは)るほどの進歩(しんぽ): astonishing progress
  • 目(め)を見張(みは)るものがある: there is something remarkable

Similar words

  • 驚(おどろ)く: to be surprised — general surprise; not limited to positive contexts
  • 感嘆(かんたん)する: to admire, marvel — more formal; focuses on being moved
  • 圧倒(あっとう)される: to be overwhelmed — implies being overpowered by something impressive
  • 息(いき)を飲(の)む: to gasp — stronger reaction; often used for dramatic moments

Related Words

Compare: 驚(おどろ)く (to be surprised)
Compare: 感嘆(かんたん) (to admire, marvel)
Compare: 圧倒(あっとう)される (to be overwhelmed)
Compare: 舌(した)を巻(ま)く (to be amazed)
Compare: 目(め)を丸(まる)くする (to be wide-eyed (with surprise))
general
Added 2026.4.4 2:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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