目配りする

• Reading: めくばりする
• Romaji: mekubari suru
• Kanji breakdown: 目 (moku/me) — eye; 配 (hai/kuba) — to distribute, allocate
• Pronunciation: /me.kɯ.ba.ɾi.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To keep a watchful eye; to be attentive to multiple things at once; to look after broadly and carefully.

A する-compound verb from 目配り (watchful attention, looking around). Describes the skill of maintaining awareness over a wide area or multiple concerns simultaneously — a quality valued in caregivers, managers, and service professionals. Carries a positive nuance of competence and consideration.

Examples

1. あのウェイターは客席全体に目配りして素早く対応する。 That waiter keeps a watchful eye on the entire dining area and responds promptly.
2. リーダーはチーム全員に目配りすることが大切だ。 It's important for a leader to keep an attentive eye on every team member.
3. 細部にまで目配りした丁寧な仕事ぶりが評価された。 His meticulous work, with attention paid to every detail, was highly praised.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, service industry, caregiving, leadership

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 目 (eye) and 配り (distribution, allocation — from 配る, to distribute). The image is of distributing one's gaze evenly across many things at once.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal