noun HSK 2
eye · small hole · key point
Meaning
眼 primarily means 'eye' and is one of the most fundamental body part words in Chinese. It also extends metaphorically to mean a small opening or hole (like the eye of a needle), and can refer to a key point or critical juncture in a situation.
Usage
While 眼 alone means 'eye', it's more commonly used in compound words like 眼睛 (yǎnjing) in everyday speech when referring to the body part. As a standalone character, it appears frequently in idioms and set phrases. Native speakers use it in various contexts from literal anatomy to abstract concepts.
Examples
- 01她的眼睛很大很漂亮。.Her eyes are very big and beautiful.
- 02这件事就在我眼前发生的。.This thing happened right before my eyes.
Measure words
- 只一只眼
- 双一双眼睛
Common collocations
- 眼睛eye(s)
- 眼前in front of one's eyes, at present
- 眼光perspective, vision
- 眼红to be envious, jealous
Origin
The character 眼 combines the radical 目 (mù, eye) with 艮 (gèn), which provides the phonetic component. The 目 radical clearly indicates the meaning relates to vision and eyes.