Meaning
Asking if a specific item is what someone is looking for.
Cultural Background
Shop staff often use this phrase to show they are attentive to the customer's specific needs, a core part of 'Omotenashi'. In fan communities, 'meate' is used to describe the specific member of an idol group or character someone came to see. People often travel long distances for 'meate' dishes (specific regional foods). On Instagram, people use the hashtag #お目当て when they finally post a photo of a long-sought item.
The Power of 'O'
Adding 'o' to 'meate' doesn't just make it polite; it makes you sound like a sophisticated speaker who respects others' desires.
Don't use for 'Why'
Never use this to ask the reason for an action. Use 'naze' or 'doushite' for that.
Meaning
Asking if a specific item is what someone is looking for.
The Power of 'O'
Adding 'o' to 'meate' doesn't just make it polite; it makes you sound like a sophisticated speaker who respects others' desires.
Don't use for 'Why'
Never use this to ask the reason for an action. Use 'naze' or 'doushite' for that.
Social Media Savvy
Use this phrase when commenting on a friend's 'haul' post to show you've been listening to their wish list.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing honorific and particle.
（ ）目当て（ ）これですか？
'O' is the correct honorific for 'meate', and 'wa' is the topic marker.
Complete the dialogue in a shop.
店員：いらっしゃいませ。何かお探しですか？ 客：はい、限定の青いペンを探しています。 店員：あ、こちらに一本だけあります。（ ）
The clerk is confirming if the specific pen found is the one the customer wanted.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Which situation best fits 'お目当てはこれですか？'?
It is used to confirm a specific 'target' or desired item.
Choose the most natural casual version.
How would you say this to a close friend?
Dropping 'o' and 'desu ka' makes it casual and natural for friends.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises（ ）目当て（ ）これですか？
'O' is the correct honorific for 'meate', and 'wa' is the topic marker.
店員：いらっしゃいませ。何かお探しですか？ 客：はい、限定の青いペンを探しています。 店員：あ、こちらに一本だけあります。（ ）
The clerk is confirming if the specific pen found is the one the customer wanted.
Which situation best fits 'お目当てはこれですか？'?
It is used to confirm a specific 'target' or desired item.
How would you say this to a close friend?
Dropping 'o' and 'desu ka' makes it casual and natural for friends.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! It's very common to use it for idols, singers, or even a crush you are looking for at a party.
Mostly, but 'meate' is specifically for things you *want* to find or get, not just a physical target you hit with a ball.
Yes, 'Meate wa nani?' (What is your target?) is a common way to ask someone what they are looking for in a store.
Yes, as long as you use the full polite form: 'O-meate wa kore desu ka?'
'Nerai' sounds more like you are aiming to win or snatch something, while 'meate' is just the object of your search.
Yes, if you are looking for a specific shop or landmark, you can use it.
Only if you are speaking to someone you aren't close with. With friends, dropping the 'o' is natural.
Simply say 'Hai, sou desu' (Yes, that's it) or 'Iie, chigaimasu' (No, it's different).
Sometimes it can imply someone is only interested in one thing (e.g., 'He only came for the food'), but usually it's neutral.
Yes: 'O-meate wa kore deshita ka?' (Was this what you were looking for?)
Related Phrases
{お探し|おさがし}のものはこれですか？
synonymIs this what you are looking for?
{狙い|ねらい}はこれですか？
similarIs this your aim?
{意中|いちゅう}の{人|ひと}
specialized formThe person in one's heart.
{目星|めぼし}をつける
builds onTo set one's sights on something.
