目(め)を向(む)ける

めをむける
expression
to turn one's attention to; to look toward
cognitionbody
1. to look toward; to turn one's eyes to
To physically direct one's gaze toward something.
窓(まど)の外(そと)に目(め)を向(む)けた。
I turned my eyes toward the window.
彼(かれ)はこちらに目(め)を向(む)けた。
He looked in this direction.
声(こえ)のする方(ほう)に目(め)を向(む)けると、友人(ゆうじん)が立(た)っていた。
When I looked toward the voice, my friend was standing there.
2. to turn one's attention to; to pay attention to; to focus on
To direct one's awareness or interest toward an issue, topic, or aspect. The figurative meaning is more common.
環境(かんきょう)問題(もんだい)に目(め)を向(む)ける。
To turn one's attention to environmental issues.
海外(かいがい)にも目(め)を向(む)ける必要(ひつよう)がある。
We need to turn our attention overseas as well.
問題(もんだい)の原因(げんいん)にもっと目(め)を向(む)けるべきだ。
We should pay more attention to the cause of the problem.

Literally 'to direct one's eyes toward.' The figurative sense (paying attention to an issue or topic) is more common in written and formal Japanese. The expression emphasizes a deliberate, conscious act of focusing attention.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 注目(ちゅうもく)する: to pay attention to — more about focusing closely on something noteworthy
  • 目(め)を向(む)ける is about deliberately directing attention, often toward something previously overlooked
  • 目(め)をそらす: to look away; to avert one's eyes — the opposite action

Related Words

Compare: 注目(ちゅうもく)する (to pay attention to)
Compare: 注意(ちゅうい)を向(む)ける (to pay attention to)
general
Added 2026.4.6 0:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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