目を奪う

• Reading: めをうばう
• Romaji: me wo ubau
• Kanji breakdown: 目 (me/moku) — eye; 奪 (uba/datsu) — to seize, rob, take by force
• Pronunciation: /me.o.ɯ.ba.ɯ/

Meaning

To captivate; to dazzle; to hold one's gaze. Describes something so stunning it seizes the viewer's attention.

A compound expression combining 目 (eye) with 奪う (to seize/rob). Group 1 (godan) conjugation via 奪う. Implies something is so beautiful, impressive, or striking that it metaphorically 'steals' one's eyes. Often used in the passive form 目を奪われる.

Examples

1. 舞台に現れた彼女の姿に観客は目を奪われた。 The audience was captivated by her appearance on stage.
2. 紅葉の美しさが目を奪う季節になった。 It has become the season when the beauty of the fall foliage dazzles the eyes.
3. 目を奪うような夜景がホテルの窓から広がっていた。 A breathtaking night view spread out from the hotel window.

Usage Guide

Context: beauty, art, scenery

Tone: admiring

Origin & History

Idiomatic expression from the metaphor of something 'stealing' one's eyes — so captivating that the viewer cannot look away.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal