一目

いちもく

a glance, a look, a glimpse

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"一目" literally means "one look" or "a glance." It is often used to describe seeing something quickly or at a single glance. This word is common in expressions like "一目惚れ" (いちもくぼれ), meaning "love at first sight."

Common Collocations

  • 一目で (いちもくで): "at a glance" — used to express understanding or noticing something immediately.
  • 一目惚れ (いちもくぼれ): "love at first sight" — a fixed expression.

Usage Notes

"一目" is a noun and often appears in compound expressions. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts but also appears in everyday conversation, especially in the phrase "一目惚れ." Learners should not confuse "一目" with "一瞬" (いっしゅん), which means "a moment" or "an instant," as "一目" specifically relates to visual perception.

Tips

When using "一目," think about the immediacy of visual recognition or impression. It emphasizes how quickly something can be seen or understood visually. This word is useful when describing first impressions or quick looks.

Example Sentences

かのじょのうつくしさはいちもくでわかる。

Her beauty is obvious at a glance.

いちもくぼれしてしまった。

I fell in love at first sight.

このしりょうはいちもくでりかいできるようにつくられている。

This document is designed to be understood at a glance.