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B1 adjective #2,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

目立つ

medatsu
At the A1 level, you can think of 'medatsu' as a way to describe things that are 'big' or 'bright' and easy to see. Imagine a big red apple in a basket of green apples. That red apple is 'medatsu.' You might use it for simple things like colors or people who are very tall. At this stage, just remember that 'medatsu' means 'easy to see' or 'stands out.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just use it with the particle 'ga.' For example: 'Akai fuku ga medatsu' (Red clothes stand out). It's a useful word when you are learning colors and basic descriptions of people and objects in your immediate environment. You can use it to point things out to your teacher or friends. Remember, it's a verb, so you say 'medatsu' or 'medatte imasu' (is standing out right now).
At the A2 level, you start using 'medatsu' to describe more than just colors. You can use it for people's behavior or things that are a bit unusual. You might say someone stands out because they are very good at sports or because they are speaking a different language. You also learn the negative form, 'medatanai.' This is very useful for describing things that are plain, quiet, or subtle. For example, 'Kono kaban wa medatanai iro desu' (This bag is an inconspicuous color). You can also start using it with 'node' (because) to explain why you noticed something. 'Koe ga ookii node, kare wa medatsu' (Because his voice is loud, he stands out). This level is about connecting 'medatsu' to simple reasons and using it in basic social descriptions.
At the B1 level, you should understand the social nuances of 'medatsu.' In Japan, standing out can be both good and bad. You will use this word to talk about social harmony and individual differences. You'll learn to use the causative form 'medataseru' (to make something stand out), which is common in design or when highlighting text. You also start using 'medatsu' for abstract things like 'noticeable changes' (medatta henka) in your health, the economy, or your grades. You can handle sentences like 'Saikin, machi de gaikokujin ga medatsu you ni natta' (Recently, foreigners have come to stand out/be more noticeable in town). You are now moving from purely visual descriptions to describing trends and social atmospheres. You also begin to distinguish 'medatsu' from synonyms like 'yūmei' (famous).
At the B2 level, you use 'medatsu' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You can describe subtle trends in data: 'Kono gurafu de wa, wakamono no shitsugyou-ritsu ga medatte iru' (In this graph, the unemployment rate of young people is conspicuous). You also understand idiomatic uses and how to modify the verb to express degrees, such as 'medachi-sugiru' (to stand out too much). You can discuss the cultural implications of 'medatsu' in Japanese society, such as the pressure to conform. You are comfortable using the word in its various forms (medatta, medatanai, medataseru) to create complex sentences that describe cause and effect. You also start to recognize when 'medatsu' is used metaphorically, such as a specific instrument standing out in an orchestral piece.
At the C1 level, you use 'medatsu' to discuss complex social phenomena and literary themes. You can distinguish between 'medatsu' and its more formal counterparts like 'kiwadatsu' (to be prominent) or 'kencho' (remarkable). You use 'medatsu' to analyze character motivations in literature or to describe the aesthetic qualities of art. You might say, 'Kono sakuhin wa, irotsukai no daitan-sa ga medatte iru' (In this work, the boldness of the color usage is conspicuous). You also understand the psychological aspect of 'medachitagari' (the desire to stand out) and can use it to describe personality types in a nuanced way. Your usage is fluid, and you can switch between casual and formal registers, knowing exactly when 'medatsu' is appropriate versus a more technical term.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'medatsu' and its place within the Japanese linguistic landscape. You can use it to describe the most subtle shifts in social dynamics or abstract philosophical concepts. You might use it in a critique of modern architecture or in a high-level business strategy meeting to highlight specific market anomalies. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how its perception has changed in modern Japan. You can use 'medatsu' in wordplay or sophisticated humor. Your understanding of the word is not just about its meaning, but about its 'weight' in a sentence—how it affects the tone and the listener's perception of the subject. You can effortlessly use it alongside archaic or highly specialized vocabulary to provide a clear, vivid description of any phenomenon.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

目立つ en 30 secondes

  • Medatsu means to stand out or be conspicuous visually or socially.
  • It is an intransitive verb often used in the 'te-iru' form for states.
  • It can have positive, neutral, or negative nuances depending on context.
  • Commonly used for fashion, behavior, and noticeable changes or trends.

The Japanese verb 目立つ (medatsu) is a fascinating compound word that literally translates to "to stand in the eye." Composed of the kanji for 'eye' (目) and 'to stand' (立つ), it describes the phenomenon where something or someone captures attention due to being different, prominent, or physically striking. Unlike the English word 'conspicuous,' which can sometimes carry a negative or clinical tone, medatsu is highly versatile, covering everything from a bright red dress in a crowd to a sudden increase in errors in a report. It is primarily an intransitive verb, meaning the subject itself possesses the quality of being noticeable without necessarily intending to be. In the context of Japanese culture, which often values harmony (wa) and blending in, the concept of 'standing out' carries significant weight, sometimes implying excellence and other times suggesting a lack of conformity.

Visual Prominence
Refers to physical attributes like color, size, or light that make an object easy to see. For example, a neon sign in a dark alley.
Social Distinction
Refers to behavior or achievements that make a person stand out from their peers, such as a student who consistently gets the highest grades.
Negative Notoriety
Can describe things that are noticeable because they are wrong or out of place, like a stain on a white shirt or a loud person in a library.
「彼女は赤いドレスを着ていたので、とても目立っていた。」
She was wearing a red dress, so she stood out a lot.

Understanding medatsu requires an appreciation for the 'unseen' background. Something only 'stands out' because the surrounding environment is uniform. In a business setting, if you say "Kare no sainou wa medatsu" (His talent stands out), you are highlighting his superiority over the average. However, if someone says "Medatsu koto o suru na" (Don't do anything to stand out), they are likely advising you to follow the rules and not draw unnecessary attention to yourself. This duality makes it a core vocabulary word for anyone reaching the B1 level, as it moves beyond simple description into the realm of social nuance.

Usage in Different Tenses:

  • Present: 目立つ (Stands out)
  • Negative: 目立たない (Doesn't stand out)
  • Past: 目立った (Stood out)
  • Te-form: 目立って (Standing out...)
「最近、白髪が目立つようになってきた。」
Lately, my white hairs have started to stand out.
「この町では、外国人は目立つ存在だ。」
In this town, foreigners are a conspicuous presence.
「成績の向上が目立っている。」
The improvement in grades is conspicuous (noticeable).

Using 目立つ correctly involves understanding its role as an intransitive verb (自動詞). It describes a state or a quality of the subject. The most common particle used with the subject is が (ga), while the location or context where something stands out is often marked by で (de) or の中で (no naka de). Because it describes a continuing state, you will very frequently see it in the 〜ている (~te iru) form.

The Particle 'Ga' (が)
Used to identify what is standing out. "Fuku ga medatsu" (The clothes stand out).
The Particle 'Ni' (に)
Used when something stands out *against* a background. "Kuro ni shiro ga medatsu" (White stands out against black).
Adverbial Use
You can use the form 目立って (medatte) as an adverb to mean 'remarkably' or 'conspicuously.' For example, "Medatte yoku naru" (To become remarkably better).

When you want to say you *want* to stand out, you use the 〜たい (~tai) form: 目立ちたい (medachitai). Conversely, if you are trying to avoid attention, you might use 目立たないようにする (medatanai you ni suru), which means "to try not to stand out." This is a common phrase in social etiquette guides in Japan.

Common Conjugation Patterns:

  • 目立たない (Negative): "Inconspicuous" or "Plain." Often used to describe modest people or subtle designs.
  • 目立ちすぎる (Excessive): "To stand out too much." Usually carries a negative nuance of being gaudy or attention-seeking.
  • 目立った (Past/Adjective-like): "Noticeable." Used to describe a specific event or change, like "Medatta henka" (A noticeable change).

In professional writing, medatsu is often replaced by more formal terms like kencho (顕著 - remarkable) or ichijirushii (著しい - striking), but in daily conversation and standard business emails, medatsu remains the go-to word for anything that catches the eye. It is also used figuratively for statistics: "Yushutsu no nobina medatsu" (The growth in exports is conspicuous).

You will encounter 目立つ in a vast array of real-life situations. Its frequency in Japanese media and daily life is high because of the cultural emphasis on social visibility. Here are the primary domains where the word is most active:

Fashion and Appearance
In magazines (Vogue Japan, Non-no), editors use it to describe 'statement pieces.' "Kono kutsu wa medatsu" (These shoes stand out). It's also used in beauty contexts for skin issues: "Kuma ga medatsu" (Dark circles under the eyes are noticeable).
School and Social Life
Teachers might describe a student as "medatsu sonzai" (a prominent figure). Students might talk about who is 'medachitagari' (an attention-seeker).
Business and Analytics
During presentations, a speaker might point to a graph and say, "Koko no sūji ga medatte imasu" (The numbers here are standing out/conspicuous), indicating a trend or an anomaly.

Example Scenarios:

  • At a Party: "Ano hito, medatsu ne!" (That person really stands out, doesn't he/she?)
  • At the Doctor: "Kizuato ga medatanai you ni shitai desu." (I want to make sure the scar isn't noticeable.)
  • In a Review: "Kono eiga wa ongaku ga medatte iru." (The music in this movie stands out/is prominent.)

In anime and manga, characters who are 'main character material' are often described as having a 'medatsu' aura. Conversely, ninjas or stealthy characters are praised for being 'medatanai' (unnoticeable). In news broadcasts, it's used for social trends: "Saikin, kashikiri kyampu ga medatte imasu" (Recently, private camping has become conspicuously popular).

While 目立つ is a common word, learners often trip up on its grammatical category and its nuance compared to similar English words. Here are the most frequent pitfalls:

Mistaking it for an Adjective
English speakers often think of "conspicuous" as an adjective and try to use medatsu like one. You cannot say "Medatsu na fuku" (Incorrect). You must say "Medatsu fuku" (The clothes that stand out) or "Medatte iru fuku."
Confusing with 'Yūmei' (Famous)
Being medatsu means people see you; being yūmei means people know your name. You can stand out in a crowd without being famous.
Misusing the Transitive/Intransitive balance
Medatsu is intransitive. You cannot "medatsu" something else. If you want to make something stand out, you use 目立たせる (medataseru), the causative form.

Wrong vs. Right:

  • ❌ Wrong: 彼はとても目立つだ。(Kare wa totero medatsu da.) - Using it like a noun/na-adj.
  • ✅ Right: 彼はとても目立つ。(Kare wa totero medatsu.) - Using it as a verb.
  • ❌ Wrong: 赤いペンで言葉を目立つ。(Akai pen de kotoba o medatsu.) - Using 'o' with an intransitive verb.
  • ✅ Right: 赤いペンで言葉を目立たせる。(Akai pen de kotoba o medataseru.) - Using the causative 'to make stand out.'

Japanese has several words that overlap with 目立つ, but each has a specific flavor. Knowing these will help you reach C1/C2 level precision.

際立つ (Kiwadatsu)
Similar to medatsu but more formal and often more positive. It implies a sharp contrast that makes something look superior or exceptionally clear. Used for beauty or skill.
浮く (Uku)
Literally "to float." In a social context, this means to stand out in a bad way—to be out of place or alienated from the group. "Kurasu de uite iru" (He is out of place in class).
人目を引く (Hitome o hiku)
Literally "to pull people's eyes." This is an active phrase for 'attracting attention.' It's often used for things that are designed to be noticed, like an advertisement or a beautiful person.
顕著 (Kencho)
A formal noun/na-adjective meaning 'remarkable' or 'striking.' Used in academic papers or news reports to describe trends (e.g., "Kencho na henka" - a remarkable change).

Comparison Table:

WordNuanceSetting
目立つGeneral noticeabilityDaily/Any
際立つSuperior contrastFormal/Praise
浮くNegative mismatchSocial/Casual
顕著Statistical/ClearAcademic/News

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

あかいふくはめだちます。

Red clothes stand out.

Basic polite form: medachimasu.

2

かれはせがたかいのでめだちます。

He stands out because he is tall.

Using 'node' for reason.

3

このはなはめだちますね。

This flower stands out, doesn't it?

Sentence ending particle 'ne'.

4

めだついろがすきです。

I like colors that stand out.

Verb modifying a noun.

5

あおいくるまはめだたない。

The blue car doesn't stand out.

Plain negative form.

6

どこがめだちますか？

Which part stands out?

Question form.

7

あのひとはめだっています。

That person is standing out.

Te-iru form for current state.

8

めだつかばんをかいました。

I bought a bag that stands out.

Past tense verb modifying a noun.

1

テストのミスが目立ちます。

The mistakes on the test stand out.

Using 'ga' to mark the subject.

2

彼はクラスで一番目立っている。

He is the most prominent in the class.

Superlative 'ichiban' with medatsu.

3

目立たないように歩きました。

I walked so as not to stand out.

Medatanai + you ni (in order not to).

4

新しい看板はとても目立つ。

The new sign is very conspicuous.

Adverb 'totemo' for emphasis.

5

彼女の歌声は目立っていた。

Her singing voice stood out.

Past progressive state.

6

目立つ色は使わないでください。

Please don't use colors that stand out.

Negative request form.

7

この汚れは目立ちますか？

Is this stain noticeable?

Polite question.

8

彼は目立ちたがり屋だ。

He is an attention-seeker.

Compound noun: medachitagari-ya.

1

最近、白髪が目立つようになってきた。

Lately, my white hairs have started to stand out.

V-you ni naru (to become/start to).

2

重要な部分は、太字にして目立たせましょう。

Let's make the important parts stand out by using bold text.

Causative form: medataseru.

3

彼の才能は、同期の中でも目立っている。

His talent stands out even among his peers.

Using 'no naka de' for context.

4

派手な服を着ると、どうしても目立ってしまう。

If you wear flashy clothes, you'll inevitably stand out.

V-chau (unintentional/inevitable action).

5

このレポートは、データの不備が目立つ。

This report has conspicuous flaws in the data.

Abstract subject: flaws.

6

彼女は目立たないが、実はとても仕事ができる。

She doesn't stand out, but she's actually very capable.

Contrast using 'ga'.

7

目立つ行動は控えたほうがいいですよ。

It's better to refrain from conspicuous behavior.

V-ta hou ga ii (advice).

8

景気の回復が目立ってきている。

The economic recovery is becoming noticeable.

V-te kuru (process over time).

1

その建物は、周囲の景観から浮いて目立っている。

That building stands out because it's out of place with the surroundings.

Combining 'uku' and 'medatsu'.

2

彼女の貢献は、チームの成功において目立った役割を果たした。

Her contribution played a conspicuous role in the team's success.

Using 'medatta' as an attributive adjective.

3

不況の影響が、地方都市で特に目立っている。

The effects of the recession are particularly noticeable in regional cities.

Adverb 'tokuni' for emphasis.

4

彼は目立つことを嫌い、常に裏方に徹している。

He dislikes standing out and always sticks to working behind the scenes.

Nominalizing the verb with 'koto'.

5

このデザインは、シンプルながらも個性が目立つ。

This design is simple, yet its individuality stands out.

Contrast using 'nagara mo'.

6

若者の政治離れが、今回の選挙でも目立った。

The youth's lack of interest in politics was conspicuous in this election too.

Abstract social trend as subject.

7

広告のキャッチコピーを目立たせるために、色を工夫する。

Devise colors to make the advertisement's catchphrase stand out.

Causative + 'tame ni' (purpose).

8

彼の発言は、会議の中で一人だけ目立っていた。

His remarks stood out as the only one of their kind in the meeting.

Using 'hitori dake' for isolation.

1

伝統的な技法の中に、現代的な感性が目立って融合している。

Modern sensibilities are conspicuously fused within traditional techniques.

Adverbial use: medatte.

2

今回の不祥事で、企業のガバナンスの欠如が目立つ形となった。

The recent scandal made the lack of corporate governance conspicuous.

Noun phrase: medatsu katachi to natta.

3

彼の文体には、師匠の影響が随所に目立っている。

The influence of his master is conspicuously present throughout his writing style.

Using 'zuisho ni' (everywhere).

4

目立った反対意見もなく、計画はスムーズに承認された。

Without any conspicuous dissenting opinions, the plan was approved smoothly.

Negative 'naku' for 'without'.

5

都市開発が進む一方で、歴史的建造物の老朽化が目立っている。

While urban development progresses, the aging of historical buildings is becoming noticeable.

Contrast using 'ippou de'.

6

彼女の演技は、繊細な感情表現が際立って目立っていた。

In her acting, the delicate expression of emotions was remarkably conspicuous.

Combining 'kiwadatte' and 'medatte'.

7

消費者の嗜好の変化が、売上データに目立って現れている。

Changes in consumer preferences are conspicuously appearing in sales data.

V-te arawareru (to appear as...).

8

あえて目立たない戦略をとることで、競合の裏をかいた。

By deliberately taking an inconspicuous strategy, they outwitted the competition.

Using 'aete' (daringly/deliberately).

1

その論文は、既存の理論に対する鋭い洞察が目立って秀逸である。

The paper is conspicuously excellent due to its sharp insights into existing theories.

High-level evaluative language.

2

社会の均質化が進む中で、異質な存在が不当に目立ってしまう傾向がある。

As society becomes more homogenized, there is a tendency for heterogeneous entities to stand out unfairly.

Sociological context.

3

彼の政治的手腕は、危機管理において最も目立って発揮された。

His political prowess was most conspicuously demonstrated in crisis management.

Passive-like 'hakkisareta' with 'medatte'.

4

言説の端々に、彼の選民意識が目立って見て取れる。

Throughout his discourse, his elitism is conspicuously discernible.

Idiomatic 'mite toreru' (can be seen).

5

この詩篇においては、静寂と喧騒の対比が目立って描かれている。

In this psalm, the contrast between silence and clamor is conspicuously depicted.

Literary analysis context.

6

構造改革の歪みが、雇用形態の多様化という形で目立ってきた。

The distortions of structural reform have become conspicuous in the form of diversifying employment patterns.

Complex causal relationship.

7

恣意的なデータ操作が、統計の不自然な乖離として目立っている。

Arbitrary data manipulation is conspicuous as an unnatural divergence in statistics.

Technical/Scientific context.

8

表層的な華やかさの裏で、精神的な空虚さが目立って感じられる。

Behind the superficial glamor, a spiritual emptiness is conspicuously felt.

Philosophical/Psychological nuance.

Collocations courantes

色が目立つ
服装が目立つ
欠点が目立つ
変化が目立つ
成績が目立つ
白髪が目立つ
汚れが目立つ
才能が目立つ
不備が目立つ
効果が目立つ

Phrases Courantes

目立つ存在

目立つ行動

目立つ色

目立たない人

目立たせる工夫

目立ちたがり屋

目立って良くなる

目立って増える

目立たない場所

目立つ場所に置く

Souvent confondu avec

目立つ vs 有名 (yūmei)

Famous (known by many) vs. Conspicuous (seen by many).

目立つ vs 人気 (ninki)

Popular (liked by many) vs. Conspicuous (noticed by many).

目立つ vs 派手 (hade)

Flashy (an adjective for style) vs. Conspicuous (a verb for the effect).

Expressions idiomatiques

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Facile à confondre

目立つ vs

目立つ vs

目立つ vs

目立つ vs

目立つ vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

neutral

Simply means 'easy to see' or 'noticeable'.

negative

Can mean 'gaudy', 'out of place', or 'notorious'.

positive

Can mean 'outstanding' or 'brilliant' in terms of talent.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'medatsu' as a na-adjective (e.g., medatsu na fuku).
  • Using the particle 'o' with 'medatsu' (it's intransitive).
  • Confusing 'medatsu' with 'yūmei' (famous).
  • Using 'medatsu' for 'popular' (ninki).
  • Forgetting to use 'te-iru' for ongoing states.

Astuces

Highlighting Text

When editing a document, use 'medataseru' to ask someone to highlight a specific part.

Social Harmony

In Japan, being told you 'medatsu' can sometimes be a subtle hint to tone it down. Read the room!

Te-iru Form

Use 'medatte iru' when describing a state that is currently true, like a stain on a shirt.

Compound Words

Learn 'medachitagari-ya' (attention seeker) as a single unit to describe a personality type.

Style Advice

If a friend asks 'Medatsu?', they are asking if their outfit is too flashy or noticeable.

Adverbial Use

Use 'medatte' before verbs like 'fueru' (increase) to mean 'noticeably increased'.

News Keywords

In economic news, 'medatsu' often signals a significant change in a graph or trend.

The Nail Proverb

Remember that 'medatsu' is the conceptual opposite of the 'nail that blends in'.

Compliments

Pair 'medatsu' with 'ii imi de' (in a good way) to ensure your compliment isn't misunderstood.

Visual Association

Associate 'medatsu' with a spotlight shining on a single person on a dark stage.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a giant 'EYE' (目) 'STANDING' (立つ) in the middle of a field. You can't miss it—it stands out!

Origine du mot

Literally 'to stand in the eye,' meaning to be positioned where the eye cannot miss it.

Contexte culturel

Japanese fashion often balances 'medatanai' basics with one 'medatsu' accessory.

The nail that sticks out (deru kugi) is related to the fear of being too 'medatsu'.

Influencers are often called 'medachitagari' if they try too hard for attention.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"そのネクタイ、とても目立ちますね！どこで買ったんですか？"

"最近、この街で何か目立つ変化はありましたか？"

"人前で目立つのは好きな方ですか？"

"テストで目立つミスをしてしまったことはありますか？"

"日本で目立たないようにするには、どうすればいいと思いますか？"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、街で見かけた一番目立つものについて書いてください。

あなたが「目立ちたい」と思う時はどんな時ですか？

最近、自分の生活の中で目立って変わったことは何ですか？

「目立つ」ことのメリットとデメリットについて考えてください。

目立たないけれど大切な仕事について、あなたの意見を書いてください。

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is neutral. It can be positive (standing out for talent) or negative (standing out for a mistake or being gaudy). Context determines the nuance.

Usually no. 'Medatsu' is primarily visual or conceptual. For smells, you would use 'niou' or 'tsuyoi'.

'Kiwadatsu' is more formal and usually implies a higher quality or a sharper contrast. 'Medatsu' is more general.

Use the causative form: 'medataseru'. For example, 'Kono moji o medataseru' (Make these characters stand out).

Yes, a 'medatsu hito' is someone with a prominent personality or appearance.

No, it is intransitive. You cannot 'medatsu' an object. You use 'ga' for the subject that stands out.

It refers to someone who wants to stand out or an attention-seeker.

Yes, if a specific sound is very prominent in a mix, you can say 'oto ga medatsu'.

Yes, very often to describe trends, changes in data, or exceptional performance.

Use the negative form 'medatanai'.

Teste-toi 179 questions

/ 179 correct

Perfect score!

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