Have you ever seen the Japanese expression 目がない（めがない） and felt confused?

Literally, it means “have no eyes.” But in Japanese, it has two completely different meanings depending on the context.

Today, let’s learn how to use this useful and interesting Japanese idiom naturally.

Meaning 1: Love Something / Can’t Resist It

This is the most common meaning in modern Japanese.

When someone says ～に目めがない, it means they love something so much that they cannot resist it.

Structure:

[noun] に 目めがない

Examples:

• 甘あまいものに目めがない。
  → I can’t resist sweets.
• 彼かれは猫ねこに目めがない。
  → He loves cats.
• うちの母はははセールに目めがない。
  → My mother can’t resist sales.

This expression is often used in a fun and casual way.

Meaning 2: No Eye For It / Poor Judgment

The second meaning is less common, but still important.

In this case, 目めがない means someone lacks the ability to judge, appreciate, or notice quality.

Examples:

• 人ひとを見みる目めがないと、だまされやすい。
  → If you can’t judge people well, you’re easily deceived.
• 彼かれは人ひとを見みる目めがない。
  → He has poor judgment of people.
• またあんな男おとこを選えらんだの？本当ほんとうに男おとこを見みる目めがないね。
  → You chose a guy like that again? You really have bad taste in men. (Relationships)

How to Tell the Difference

Context is everything.

If the topic is something enjoyable:

Food, hobbies, shopping, animals, etc.

➡ Usually means love it / weak for it

• スイーツに目めがない
• 犬いぬに目めがない

If the topic is skill or judgment:

Art, people, quality, taste, value

➡ Usually means no eye for it

• 美術びじゅつに目めがない
• 人ひとを見みる目めがない

Which Meaning Is More Common?

Today, the meaning “love something / can’t resist it” is much more common in daily conversation.

So if you hear:

• 甘あまいものに目めがない

Most people will understand:

➡ “They love sweets.”

Useful Conversation Examples

• 私わたしは抹茶まっちゃスイーツに目めがないです。
  I can’t resist matcha sweets.
• 彼女かのじょはかわいい雑貨ざっかに目めがない。
  She loves cute accessories.
• 私わたしはブランド品ひんに目めがないタイプではありません。
  I’m not the type who is crazy about brand-name goods.

Final Tip

Many Japanese learners only know one meaning of 目めがない, so this expression can be confusing at first.

Just remember:

• Love / weak for something → common meaning
• No eye for / bad judgment → depends on context

Once you know both, you’ll understand this idiom much more naturally.

Quick Question for You

What are you weak for?

• Coffee?
• Anime goods?
• Cats?
• Japanese snacks?

You can say:

私わたしは〇〇に目めがないです！

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