打量

• Pinyin: dǎ liang
• Hanzi breakdown: 打 = 扌+ 丁 (action verb); 量 = 日 + 里 (to measure)

Meaning

To look someone up and down; to size up; to scrutinize. A verb describing the action of examining someone or something carefully with one's eyes.

Often implies assessing or evaluating through observation. Can be neutral (taking in someone's appearance) or carry judgment (sizing someone up suspiciously). Common when meeting new people or encountering something unfamiliar.

Examples

1. 她走进会议室，所有人都停下来打量这位新来的同事。 When she walked into the meeting room, everyone stopped to look over this new colleague.
2. 他上下打量了我一番，然后露出了满意的笑容。 He looked me up and down, then showed a satisfied smile.
3. 别老打量人家，多不礼貌啊。 Stop staring at people like that — it's so rude.

Usage Guide

Context: observation, assessment

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他仔细打量着眼前这幅画。(He carefully scrutinized the painting in front of him.)
• 面试官打量了他好一会儿才开口说话。(The interviewer sized him up for a while before speaking.)

Don't Say

• 我打量了这本书很久 (打量 is typically for people or physical appearances — for reading/studying, use 看 or 研究)

Origin & History

Compound of 打 (action verb) + 量 (to measure). The combination suggests visually measuring or assessing someone.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal