A2 Idiom 중립

ざっと目を通す

zatto me o toosu

To glance over/skim through.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'ざっと目を通す' when you want to say you've skimmed through a document without reading every single word.

  • Means: To look over something quickly to grasp the general content.
  • Used in: Business meetings, checking emails, or reviewing reports.
  • Don't confuse: It implies a light scan, not a deep or thorough analysis.
Eyes (👀) + Speed (⚡) = Quick understanding (💡)

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means to read something very fast. You use it when you don't have much time to read a long paper.
It is a common idiom used in offices. It means you looked at a document quickly to understand the main points. It is not for deep reading.
This phrase is used to describe skimming a document. It is helpful in professional settings to signal that you have reviewed the material briefly without implying a deep, analytical study of the content.
The idiom 'ざっと目を通す' functions as a pragmatic marker of efficiency. It is frequently employed in business contexts to communicate that one has performed a cursory review, thereby managing the interlocutor's expectations regarding the depth of one's engagement with the text.
Syntactically, this phrase combines the adverb 'ざっと' with the idiomatic verb phrase '目を通す'. It serves as a vital tool for navigating information-dense environments, allowing speakers to delineate between superficial scanning and intensive reading. Its usage is highly dependent on the social context, requiring the speaker to balance efficiency with the professional obligation of thoroughness.
The phrase 'ざっと目を通す' exemplifies the Japanese tendency to use somatic metaphors for cognitive processes. By utilizing the verb '通す' (to pass through), the idiom conceptualizes the text as a space through which the gaze travels. This reflects a pragmatic approach to information processing, where the speaker acknowledges the necessity of rapid intake while implicitly contrasting it with '精読' (intensive reading). Mastery of this phrase requires an understanding of the subtle boundary between professional diligence and time-constrained skimming.

뜻

To read something quickly without paying close attention to details.

🌍

문화적 배경

In Japanese business, saying you have '目を通した' is a way of showing responsibility.

💡

Use it at work

It's the perfect phrase for busy office life.

뜻

To read something quickly without paying close attention to details.

💡

Use it at work

It's the perfect phrase for busy office life.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the correct particle.

資料____ざっと目を通す。

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: に

The particle 'に' is used with '目を通す' to indicate the target.

🎉 점수: /1

시각 학습 자료

자주 묻는 질문

1 질문

Usually no, it's for documents.

관련 표현

🔄

一読する

synonym

To read once

어디서 쓸까?

📧

Office Email

Boss: このメールに目を通しておいて。

You: はい、ざっと目を通します。

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of your eyes as a 'Z' shape (ざっと) moving quickly over a page.

Visual Association

A busy office worker flipping through pages of a report in 5 seconds.

Story

Tanaka-san is late for a meeting. He grabs the report, scans it quickly (ざっと目を通す), and enters the room feeling prepared.

Word Web

読む確認書類資料速読把握

챌린지

Find a short article and time yourself reading it in 30 seconds, then say 'ざっと目を通しました'.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Echar un vistazo

Spanish uses 'throw', Japanese uses 'pass through'.

French moderate

Survoler

French implies looking from above; Japanese implies moving across.

German moderate

Überfliegen

German is a single verb; Japanese is a multi-word idiom.

Chinese high

浏览 (liúlǎn)

Chinese is a formal compound verb; Japanese is a descriptive idiom.

Korean high

훑어보다

Korean uses a specific verb for 'sweeping' eyes.

Portuguese high

Dar uma olhada

Portuguese is very casual; Japanese is neutral.

Arabic high

ألقى نظرة سريعة

Arabic is more formal in structure.

Japanese high

目を通す

Adding 'ざっと' adds the speed element.

Easily Confused

ざっと目を通す 대 目を通す vs 読む

Learners think they are the same.

読む is deep reading; 目を通す is scanning.

자주 묻는 질문 (1)

Usually no, it's for documents.

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