目(め)を配(くば)る

めをくばる

expression

to keep an eye on; to watch over attentively

1. to keep an eye out; to watch over a whole area attentively

To spread one's attention over several people, places, or details at once so that nothing is missed. Typical of teachers, staff, and anyone responsible for a group, and carries a sense of conscientious care rather than suspicion.

周(まわ)りに目(め)を配(くば)る。

Keep an eye on your surroundings.

店長(てんちょう)は店内(てんない)全体(ぜんたい)に目(め)を配(くば)っている。

The manager keeps an eye on the whole store.

担任(たんにん)は一人一人(ひとりひとり)の様子(ようす)に目(め)を配(くば)り、小(ちい)さな変化(へんか)も見逃(みのが)さない。

The homeroom teacher watches over each student closely and misses no small change.

Usage

The thing watched over takes に. Because 配(くば)る means "to distribute," the phrase implies attention spread across a whole scene, so the object is often a group or an area rather than a single item.

Common collocations

周囲(しゅうい)に目(め)を配(くば)る: to keep an eye on one's surroundings
安全(あんぜん)に目(め)を配(くば)る: to watch out for safety
細(こま)かいところまで目(め)を配(くば)る: to attend to every detail

Similar words

気(き)を配(くば)る: to be considerate — attention to others' comfort, not visual watching
目(め)を光(ひか)らせる: to keep a sharp watch — suspicious and policing in tone

Related Words

Compare: 気(き)を配(くば)る (to be considerate)

Compare: 目(め)を光(ひか)らせる (to keep a sharp watch)

Related: 目配(めくば)り (watchfulness)

general

Added 2026.8.14 3:28 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31

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