目(め)が高(たか)い

めがたかい
expression
to have a discerning eye; to know quality
idiomevaluation
1. to have a discerning eye; to have good taste; to know quality
To be able to tell what is genuinely good or valuable. Often said as praise to a customer who has picked a fine item.
お目(め)が高(たか)いですね。
You have a good eye.
彼女(かのじょ)は器(うつわ)を見(み)る目(め)が高(たか)い。
She has a discerning eye for pottery.
その着物(きもの)を選(えら)ぶとはお目(め)が高(たか)い。職人(しょくにん)が一年(いちねん)かけて織(お)った品(しな)です。
You have fine taste to choose that kimono. A craftsman spent a year weaving it.

目(め) here means judgment or the eye for quality. The polite form お目(め)が高(たか)い is a set compliment from a shop clerk or host when a customer or guest recognises something of value.

Common patterns

  • お目(め)が高(たか)いですね: you have a good eye (a compliment)
  • 〜を見(み)る目(め)が高(たか)い: to have a discerning eye for ~

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 目(め)が利(き)く (to be a good judge)
general
Added 2026.9.28 9:59 · Revised 2026.9.28 9:59
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