Meaning
目光 refers to the light or expression in someone's eyes, their gaze, or the direction they are looking. It often carries connotations about what the gaze reveals—whether someone looks hopeful, sharp, gentle, or distant. It's more literary and formal than simply saying 眼睛 (eyes).
Usage
目光 is commonly used in written Chinese and formal speech to describe someone's gaze or the quality of their vision, both literal and metaphorical. It frequently appears with adjectives describing the nature of the gaze (锐利的目光 'sharp gaze', 温柔的目光 'gentle gaze'). It can also refer to one's perspective or foresight in abstract contexts, like 长远的目光 (far-sighted vision).
Examples
- 01他的目光落在窗外的风景上。.His gaze fell upon the scenery outside the window.
- 02她用温柔的目光看着孩子。.She looked at the child with a gentle gaze.
Characters
Common collocations
- 目光炯炯bright piercing gaze
- 吸引目光to attract attention/gaze
- 目光短浅short-sighted, lacking foresight
- 锐利的目光sharp/keen gaze
Origin
目光 literally combines 'eye' (目) and 'light' (光), suggesting the light that comes from or is reflected in the eyes. This poetic construction emphasizes eyes as windows expressing inner thoughts and emotions.