见钱眼开

• Pinyin: jiàn qián yǎn kāi
• Hanzi breakdown: 见 = to see; 钱 = 钅 (metal) + 戋 — money; 眼 = 目 (eye) + 艮 — eye; 开 = 门 (door) + 一 — to open

Meaning

Eyes light up at the sight of money; greedy; money-grubbing. Describes someone who is obsessed with money.

A derogatory idiom criticizing people who are driven purely by financial gain, whose attitude changes dramatically when money is involved. Often used to criticize those who abandon principles or relationships for profit.

Examples

1. 他是个见钱眼开的人，为了利益什么都愿意做。 He's a greedy person who will do anything for profit.
2. 别跟这种见钱眼开的商人合作，迟早会被坑。 Don't partner with such money-grubbing merchants — you'll get cheated sooner or later.
3. 有些人一听到高薪就见钱眼开，完全不考虑工作是否适合自己。 Some people's eyes light up at the mention of a high salary, completely ignoring whether the job suits them.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, gossip, everyday

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 他一说有提成就见钱眼开了。(His eyes lit up as soon as commission was mentioned.)
• 做生意不能见钱眼开，要讲诚信。(In business you can't be money-grubbing — you need integrity.)

Don't Say

• 当面用'见钱眼开'形容别人 (Don't use 见钱眼开 to describe someone to their face — it's very insulting; use it only when criticizing someone in their absence)

Origin & History

Literally 'eyes open at seeing money.' A vivid metaphor describing how a greedy person's eyes light up or widen with excitement at the prospect of financial gain.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal