Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 眨眼 | zhǎyǎn |
| 眨眼睛 | zhǎ yǎnjīng |
| 眨 | zhǎ |
These terms describe the action of blinking or winking one eye to convey a message, signal or suggestion. The single character 眨 is often found in idiomatic expressions used to describe things happening with extreme speed.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 眨眼 is composed of 眨, which means to blink and 眼, which means eye.
Which one should you use?
The form 眨眼睛 is a more descriptive version of the phrase. The single character 眨 can function as a verb meaning to blink or wink, particularly in idioms concerning time or speed.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding 睛 (pupil/eye) to the end of 眨眼 creates the phrase 眨眼睛, which is a common way to describe the act of blinking or winking more descriptively. The single character 眨 can be used as a verb, and it is frequently used in the idiom 眨个眼的功夫 to mean 'in a wink' or 'in the blink of an eye' to describe something occurring very quickly.
How do you pronounce it?
zhǎyǎn
When do people say it?
In Chinese culture, excessive winking can be perceived as impolite.
Did you know?
- While English speakers might wink to show irony or a joke, using 眨眼 in China can sometimes be interpreted as a sign of secret collusion or a 'hidden deal' between two people.
- The character 眨 contains the radical 目 on the left, which is the ancient pictograph for an eye.
- The Chinese language often uses the same verb 眨 for both a natural, reflexive blink and a deliberate, communicative wink. You must rely entirely on the surrounding context to know if the person is blinking or winking.
Examples in context
- 眨个眼的功夫，贡特就不见了。In a wink, Gunter was gone.This sentence shows how 眨 is used in an idiom to describe something happening very quickly.Tatoeba #13938594 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #11628690 by Amastan
- 他使眼色向我示意他的计划。He winked at me to indicate his plan.
- 他对我眨眼，我明白他的意思了。He winked at me, and I understood his meaning.
- 那个男孩对着女孩眨眼。Nàge nánhái duìzhe nǚhái zhǎyǎn.That boy winks at the girl.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a romantic movie at home.
- 俊杰 Junjie你看，男主角在对女主角眨眼。Nǐ kàn, nán zhǔjiǎo zài duì nǚ zhǔjiǎo zhǎyǎn.Look, the male lead is winking at the female lead.
- 佳怡 Jiayi真浪漫啊！Zhēn làngmàn a!That's so romantic!
- 俊杰 Junjie我也想学他那样眨眼。Wǒ yě xiǎng xué tā nàyàng zhǎyǎn.I also want to learn how to wink like him.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你还是别了吧。Nǐ háishì bié le ba.You'd better not.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wink” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
