The Meaning of megane [眼鏡] In Japanese

眼鏡
めがね
Romaji: megane N5

What does 眼鏡 mean?

Translation and Meaning

glasses, spectacles

Definition

Eye-wear designed to correct or improve vision. A frame-mounted pair of lenses placed before the eyes to help the wearer see more clearly.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Eyewear used to correct vision, including reading, distance, and multifocal lenses.
  • General term for eyewear in formal writing or product names, broader than casual speech.

Etymology

眼 + 鏡 → megane; the term is built from eye and mirror characters, with rendaku altering the second element’s initial sound to produce the spoken form.

Origin

Eyeglasses were introduced to Japan in the 16th–17th centuries through Portuguese and Dutch traders; the term 眼鏡 became established in Edo-period usage.

Composition

  • 眼: eye
  • 鏡: mirror
  • Together they evoke a device before the eye used to reflect or clarify sight; diachronic sense: eyewear

Usage

Used in everyday conversation to refer to eyewear; formal contexts prefer 眼鏡 in writing and signage; common constructions include 眼鏡をかける, 眼鏡を外す, 眼鏡店へ行く.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture an eye staring into a mirror; the second kanji mirrors the idea of viewing aids, and rendaku turns kagami into gane to form megane.

Variations

  • メガネ (megane) — common spoken form
  • サングラス (sangurasu) — sunglasses; related eyewear

Example Phrases

  • 会議中 眼鏡を かけ直して 急いで 資料を見る。
    Kaigichū megane o kake naoshite isoide shiryō o miru.
    During the meeting, I quickly put my glasses back on and look at the materials.
    Lista:
    • 会議中 (kaigichū) – during the meeting
    • 眼鏡を (megane o) – glasses
    • かけ直して (kake naoshite) – put back on
    • 急いで (isoide) – quickly
    • 資料を見る (shiryō o miru) – look at the materials
    Core grammar: 「眼鏡」 is the noun for glasses; the structure 「眼鏡をかけ直して」 means ‘put the glasses back on’ using the te-form to connect actions.
眼鏡