目が霞む

• Reading: めがかすむ
• Romaji: me ga kasumu
• Kanji breakdown: 目 (me/moku) — eye; 霞 (kasu/ka) — mist, haze
• Pronunciation: /me.ɡa.ka.sɯ.mɯ/

Meaning

To get blurry vision; to have dim eyesight. Describes vision becoming hazy or unclear.

A compound expression combining 目 (eye) with 霞む (to become hazy). Group 1 (godan) conjugation via 霞む. Used both literally for physical eye strain or ageing, and figuratively when someone cannot see things clearly due to being dazzled or overwhelmed.

Examples

1. パソコンの画面を見すぎて目が霞んできた。 I stared at the computer screen for too long and my vision started to blur.
2. 年を取ると目が霞むことが増える。 The older you get, the more often your vision gets blurry.
3. 涙で目が霞んで、前がよく見えなかった。 My eyes were blurred with tears and I couldn't see straight ahead.

Usage Guide

Context: health, ageing, eye strain

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

Compound of 目 (eye) and 霞む (to be misty/hazy). 霞 originally referred to mist or haze in nature, extended to describe blurred vision.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal