眼镜

• Pinyin: yǎn jìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 眼 = 目 (eye) + 艮 (phonetic component), the eye; 镜 = 钅 (metal radical) + 竟 (phonetic), a mirror or lens

Meaning

Glasses; spectacles. Corrective lenses worn on the face to improve vision.

Refers to prescription eyeglasses (近视眼镜 — myopia glasses) as well as sunglasses (太阳镜) in broader usage, though 太阳镜 is the more precise term for sunglasses. The measure word is 副. Related words: 眼镜框 (frame), 镜片 (lens), 配眼镜 (to get glasses fitted).

Examples

1. 他从小视力不好，一直戴眼镜。 He has had poor eyesight since childhood and has always worn glasses.
2. 我找不到我的眼镜，没有它就看不清楚黑板。 I can't find my glasses and can't see the board clearly without them.
3. 配一副合适的眼镜对保护视力非常重要。 Getting a proper pair of glasses fitted is very important for protecting your eyesight.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, health

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我需要去配一副新眼镜，旧的度数不够了。(I need to get a new pair of glasses fitted — the prescription on the old ones is no longer strong enough.)
• 他摘下眼镜后，眼睛看起来更温和了。(After taking off his glasses, his eyes looked gentler.)

Don't Say

• 把'眼镜'的量词用成'个'或'只' (Don't use 个 or 只 as the measure word for 眼镜 — the correct measure word is 副, as glasses come as a pair)

Origin & History

A compound of 眼 (eye, from 目 eye + 艮 phonetic) and 镜 (mirror/lens, from 钅 metal + 竟 phonetic). Together they literally mean eye-mirror.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal