虹膜
hóngmó
The English word iris (referring to the part of the eye) is translated into Chinese as 虹膜 (hóngmó). Wiktionary also lists 虹彩 (hóngcǎi).
Meaning: part of the eye (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 虹膜 | hóngmó |
| 虹彩 | hóngcǎi |
What does it mean word for word?
The term 虹膜 is composed of 虹 (rainbow) and 膜 (membrane), literally meaning "iris membrane".
Which one should you use?
虹膜 is the standard medical and anatomical term for the iris. In contrast, 虹彩 is used in a literary or poetic sense to describe iridescent colors or a rainbow-like shimmer, though it may occasionally refer to the iris in certain contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
hóngmó
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese texts, the 'rainbow' 虹 was sometimes believed to be a kind of dragon that drank water from rivers.
- While English speakers use 'iris' for both the eye part and the flower, in Chinese, these would require entirely different words, as 'iris' (the flower) is 鸢尾 (yuānwěi).
- Because 虹彩 suggests a shimmering light, it is frequently used in Chinese fashion and cosmetics to describe 'iridescent' makeup.
Examples in context
- 这花园里有很多鸢尾花。There are many iris flowers in this garden.
- 她的虹膜颜色很深。Tā de hóngmó yánsè hěn shēn.Her iris color is very dark.
- 医生正在检查我的虹膜。Yīshēng zhèngzài jiǎnchá wǒ de hóngmó.The doctor is checking my iris.
- 虹膜扫描非常安全。Hóngmó sǎomiáo fēicháng ānquán.Iris scanning is very safe.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are at an eye clinic.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen医生在看你的虹膜吗？Yīshēng zài kàn nǐ de hóngmó ma?Is the doctor looking at your iris?
- 伟 Wei是的，他在检查我的虹膜。Shì de, tā zài jiǎnchá wǒ de hóngmó.Yes, he is checking my iris.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你的眼睛看起来很健康。Nǐ de yǎnjīng kàn qǐlái hěn jiànkāng.Your eyes look very healthy.
- 伟 Wei谢谢你的关心。Xièxiè nǐ de guānxīn.Thank you for your concern.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “iris” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
