In this paper, we present the luminescent lanthanide complexes, Tb3+-and Dy3+-4-aminobenzyl-EDTA as receptors for monosaccharides. The monosaccharides are recognized through their coordinate bonds and hydration bonds in alkaline aqueous solution by distinctive energy-transfer luminescence enhancement of the center metal ions. The stability constants of the ternary complexes formed with several monosaccharides, which are particularly sensitive in the case of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), were measured. A high stability constant for Neu5Ac was observed with an affinity of about 5000.