How to say "gaze" in Japanese

• 目線めせんCommon
  nounA noun meaning the direction in which one is looking. Use it when 'gaze' refers simply to where someone's eyes are pointed, as in describing a person's gaze or shifting one's gaze.
  ジェーンは私達わたしたちに目線めせんを投なげかけた。↗

  Jane threw a glance at us.
• 見つめるみつめるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to gaze or stare at someone or something, often with sustained attention or feeling. It is the usual verb choice for 'gaze at' in everyday description.
  いい加減かげんに現実げんじつをみつめろ。↗

  Open your eyes to reality.
• 眼差しまなざしCommon
  nounA noun for a look or gaze, especially as something felt or expressive. Use it when describing the quality or emotion in someone's gaze, such as a warm or gentle gaze.
  子こどもが父親ちちおやを尊敬そんけいの眼差まなざしで見上みあげている。↗

  The child looks up to his father with worship in his eyes.
• 見入るみいるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA verb meaning to gaze fixedly at something, as if absorbed in it. It suits 'gaze' when the looking is intent and absorbed, such as being unable to take one's eyes off something.
• 凝視ぎょうしCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA noun (also usable as a verbal) for staring or gazing intently. It is the natural choice when 'gaze' means a hard, fixed stare, as in examining something under close scrutiny.
  彼女かのじょは大勢おおぜいの少年しょうねんたちに凝視ぎょうしされているのを意識いしきしていたと思おもう。↗

  I think she was conscious of being stared at by many boys.

Use 目線 or 「眼差し」 for 'gaze' as a noun (direction of looking or a look), 「見つめる」 or 「見入る」 for the verb 'to gaze at', and 凝視 for intense staring as a noun.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 目線めせん(one's) gaze
• 見つめるみつめるto stare (at)
• 眼差しまなざし(a) look
• 見入るみいるto gaze (at)
• 凝視ぎょうしstare
• 視線しせんone's line of sight
• 見やるみやるto look at
• めlook
• 見守るみまもるto watch intently