目: the kanji for eye, item, -th
目 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means eye, item, -th. Below are its readings, 16 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
目 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
目 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 15 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
モク (moku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 目的もくてき · mokuteki | purpose |
| 目標もくひょう · mokuhyō | goal; target |
| 科目かもく · kamoku | subject (of study) |
| 項目こうもく · kōmoku | item; entry |
| 注目ちゅうもく · chūmoku | attention |
| 目次もくじ · mokuji | table of contents |
ボク (boku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 面目めんぼく · menboku | face; honor |
め (me)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 目め · me | eye |
| 一つ目ひとつめ · hitotsume | the first |
| 二回目にかいめ · nikaime | the second time |
| 目上めうえ · meue | one's superior |
| 目立つめだつ · medatsu | to stand out |
| 目覚ましめざまし · mezamashi | alarm clock |
| 駄目だめ · dame | no good; not allowed |
| 目安めやす · meyasu | guide; rough standard |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 目, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 真面目まじめ · majime | serious; diligent |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 今回の出張の目的は何ですか。Konkai no shutchō no mokuteki wa nan desu ka.What is the purpose of this business trip?
- 今年の売上の目標を決めました。Kotoshi no uriage no mokuhyō o kimemashita.We set this year's sales target.
- 二つ目の角を右に曲がってください。Futatsume no kado o migi ni magatte kudasai.Please turn right at the second corner.
- 目上の人には敬語を使います。Meue no hito ni wa keigo o tsukaimasu.We use keigo with people senior to us.
- 彼はとても真面目な人です。Kare wa totemo majime na hito desu.He is a very diligent person.
- 一時間を目安に作業してください。Ichijikan o meyasu ni sagyō shite kudasai.Please plan on about an hour for the task.
Questions about 目
How many strokes does 目 have?
目 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 目?
The on readings are moku (モク), boku (ボク). The kun readings are me (め), ma (ま).
How do you say "the first," "the second" in Japanese?
Add 目 (me) after a number and counter: 一つ目 (hitotsume, the first one), 二回目 (nikaime, the second time) and 三日目 (mikkame, the third day).
What JLPT level is 目?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Body and health
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 目
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.