目 Stroke Order — How to Write 目
目 is written in 5 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 目, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
目 Radical and Character Components
目 is a pictograph. An eye drawn on its side.
Radical: 目 + 0 more strokes
目 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- mù
Meanings of 目 in Chinese
1
mù目
When pronounced as 'mù', '目' refers to the eye, or things related to sight and vision, often used in compounds like '目光' (gaze), '醒目' (eye-catching), or '历历在目' (vividly recalled).
童年的往事，至今仍历历在目
Childhood memories are still vividly present in my mind.
mù (as in "to look" or "to see"): to observe, to view, or to express silently with one's eyes.
他以目语表示同意
He expressed agreement with his eyes.
goal, purpose, or objective to be achieved
学习的最终目的是掌握知识。
The ultimate goal of learning is to master knowledge.
Refers to a specific item, point, or entry within a larger category or structure, often used in terms of lists, articles, or when elaborating on details (e.g., '条目' meaning 'item' or 'entry').
这份清单上的所有条目都必须核对清楚。
All items on this list must be carefully checked.
item; category; designation (as in 'number' or 'pretext')
这家商店常常巧立名目，对顾客收取不合理的费用。
This store often invents various pretexts to charge customers unreasonable fees.
Refers to a list, catalog, or table of contents, often used as part of '目录' (mùlù).
请查阅书籍的目录。
Please refer to the book's table of contents.
In biological classification, 'mù' refers to an 'order', a taxonomic rank below 'class' and above 'family'.
蝴蝶属于鳞翅目昆虫。
Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera of insects.
A hole, mesh, or opening, commonly referring to the mesh size in a net or screen.
这张渔网的网目很细，小鱼不容易从中间溜出去。
The mesh of this fishing net is very fine, so small fish are not likely to slip through it.
Refers to the person at the head of a group; a leader or chief.
这个项目的头目是小王。
The head of this project is Xiao Wang.
Common Words and Phrases with 目
1
2
The eye cannot see its own lashes; refers to someone who lacks self-knowledge or is unaware of their own faults.
有些人对别人的缺点总是看得一清二楚，对自己却目不见睫，这真是让人无奈
Some people always see others' flaws very clearly, yet are blind to their own, which is truly frustrating.
3
not sleep a wink; not close one's eyes to sleep
为了赶完报告，他昨晚目不交睫，一直工作到天亮。
To complete the report, he didn't close his eyes all night, working until dawn.
4
too horrible to look at; a sight too tragic to behold
那场火灾后的景象，满目疮痍，令人目不忍见。
The devastated landscape after that fire was truly unbearable to look at.
5
too horrible to look at; one's eyes could not bear the scene
车祸现场一片狼藉，伤者的惨状令人目不忍视。
The scene of the car accident was a complete mess, and the tragic state of the injured was too horrible to look at.
6
completely illiterate; unable to read or write.
虽然他目不识丁，但他靠着勤劳和智慧，在村子里过上了幸福的生活。
Although he was illiterate, he lived a happy life in the village by relying on diligence and wisdom.
7
There are too many things for the eye to take in; unable to take everything in at a glance.
在博物馆里，各种精美的艺术品让人目不暇接
In the museum, the various exquisite artworks were so numerous and beautiful that it was impossible to take them all in at once.
8
To gaze fixedly without blinking, indicating intense focus or admiration.
孩子们目不转睛地看着魔术师的表演。
The children watched the magician's performance without blinking.
9
To estimate or measure by eye without instruments.
我目测了一下这张桌子的高度，感觉刚刚好。
I visually estimated the height of this table, and it felt just right.
10
to flirt glances with each other; to exchange meaningful looks through the eyes
初次相遇，两人便已目成，空气中弥漫着微妙的情愫。
Upon their first encounter, the two had already communicated with their eyes, and a subtle romantic tension filled the air.
11
To look at the blue sky with great sadness or sorrow.
他失去了一生挚爱，只能目怆有天，默默承受这份悲痛。
He lost the love of his life, and could only gaze at the sky in deep sorrow, silently enduring this profound grief.
12
Purpose, aim, or goal.
我们学习的最终目的是为了增长知识，提升自我
The ultimate purpose of our learning is to increase knowledge and improve ourselves.
13
To be dumbfounded, stupefied, or gaping in astonishment, shock, or bewilderment, to the point of being speechless.
听到这个突如其来的消息，他吓得目瞪口呆。
Hearing this sudden news, he was dumbfounded.
14
15
Sight; vision; gaze; the look in one's eyes.
她的目光温柔地扫过房间里的每一个人。
Her gaze gently swept over everyone in the room.
More words with 目
- zhàng账mù目items of an account; accounts
- chēng瞠mù目Dumbfounded, Stunned
- duó夺mù目Dazzling, Eye-catching
- gāng纲mù目Outline, Program
- jià价mù目marked price of goods
- jù剧mù目play, repertoire
- kē科mù目subject, course
- lán栏mù目column, section
- méi眉mù目facial features, clues
- míng瞑mù目close one's eyes in death, die
- piān篇mù目entry, item
- shùn瞬mù目to blink or twinkle one's eyes
- tí题mù目Topic, Question
- xì戏mù目theatrical programme
- xuàn眩mù目dazzling; glaring
- zhāng张mù目open one's eyes wide, stare
- zhù注mù目Pay attention, Focus
- cè侧mù目look askance, cast a sidelong glance
- jí极mù目to look as far as the eye can see
- nù怒mù目glaring eyes; fierce stare
Idioms with 目
- mù目bù不rěn忍dǔ睹too horrible to behold
- mù目bù不xié邪shì视eyes looking straight ahead
- mù目bù不xié斜shì视look straight ahead
- mù目guāng光duǎn短qiǎn浅lacking foresight or long-term vision
- mù目guāng光jiǒng炯jiǒng炯eyes bright and piercing
- mù目guāng光rú如dòu豆short-sighted and lacking foresight
- mù目guāng光rú如jù炬eyes like torches
- mù目guāng光rú如shǔ鼠short-sighted and improper
- mù目guāng光yuǎn远dà大have great foresight and vision
- mù目kōng空yī一qiè切to be extremely arrogant and conceited
- mù目mí迷wǔ五sè色Dazzled by a profusion of colors
- mù目sòng送shǒu手huī挥Express thoughts spontaneously and skillfully
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Open the tool →Questions about 目
What does 目 mean in Chinese?
目 (mù) means “When pronounced as 'mù'” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 目?
目 is pronounced mù in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 目 have?
目 has 5 strokes.
How do you write 目?
目 is written in 5 strokes, starting from the radical 目. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 目?
The radical of 目 is 目, and 目 is a pictograph.