1.
to be amazed; to stare wide-eyed; to be astonished
To open one's eyes wide in amazement, surprise, or admiration.
目を見張るような景色だった。
It was a breathtaking view.
彼女の成長ぶりには目を見張るものがある。
Her growth is truly remarkable.
この十年で、テクノロジーは目を見張るほどの進歩を遂げた。
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:
- 目を見張るような + noun (an astonishing ~)
- 目を見張るものがある (there is something remarkable about ~)
- 目を見張るほど (to an astonishing degree)
- Expresses positive amazement, not negative surprise
- Common in written Japanese, journalism, and formal speech
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 目を見張るような成長: remarkable growth
- 目を見張るような美しさ: breathtaking beauty
- 目を見張るほどの進歩: astonishing progress
- 目を見張るものがある: there is something remarkable
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 驚く: to be surprised — general surprise; not limited to positive contexts
- 感嘆する: to admire, marvel — more formal; focuses on being moved
- 圧倒される: to be overwhelmed — implies being overpowered by something impressive
- 息を飲む: to gasp — stronger reaction; often used for dramatic moments