目立つ|めだつmedatsu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto be conspicuous; to stand out
    スーツを着きて彼かれは目立めだっていた。↗
    He was conspicuous in his suit.
Conjugation
Dictionary form目立つ(めだつ)
Polite (masu)目立ちます(めだちます)
Negative (nai)目立たない(めだたない)
polite (masen)目立ちません(めだちません)
classical zu / nu目立たず・目立たぬ(めだたず・めだたぬ)
Past (ta)目立った(めだった)
polite (mashita)目立ちました(めだちました)
Past negative (nakatta)目立たなかった(めだたなかった)
polite (masen deshita)目立ちませんでした(めだちませんでした)
Te form目立って(めだって)
Potential目立てる(めだてる)
Passive目立たれる(めだたれる)
Causative目立たせる(めだたせる)
Causative passive目立たせられる・目立たされる(めだたせられる・めだたされる)
Conditional (ba)目立てば(めだてば)
tara目立ったら(めだったら)
Volitional目立とう(めだとう)
polite (mashou)目立ちましょう(めだちましょう)
Imperative目立て(めだて)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym際立つきわだつNeutralStands out exceptionally against its surroundings, as in 「才能が際立つ」「違いが際立つ」; 「目立つ」 simply stresses catching people's attention.
  • Synonym顕著けんちょWrittenSaid of clear, obvious effects or trends; written/formal prose, even academic, whereas 「目立つ」 is more everyday.
  • Related著しいいちじるしいWrittenDescribes a marked change or degree, as in 「著しい成長」; written/formal prose, while 「目立つ」 is about being conspicuous.
  • Antonym地味じみNeutralPlain, subdued and unobtrusive — the opposite of the conspicuous 「目立つ」.
  • Antonym控えめひかえめNeutralModest and restrained, holding back rather than drawing attention; the opposite of 「目立つ」.

Use 「目立つ」 for being conspicuous or catching attention; 「際立つ」 for standing out exceptionally; 「著しい」 and 「顕著」 for marked change or degree in written/formal prose; 「地味」 for plain, 「控えめ」 for modest and low-key.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 他ほかの物事ものごととはっきり区別くべつされ際立きわだって見みえる。目めに付つく。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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