目瞪口呆

• Pinyin: mù dèng kǒu dāi
• Hanzi breakdown: 目 = eye (pictograph); 瞪 = 目(eye) + 登(ascend/rise, phonetic) — to open eyes wide; 口 = mouth (pictograph); 呆 = 人(person) + 木(wood) — rigid like wood, dazed

Meaning

To be dumbfounded; to stare with wide eyes and a gaping mouth from shock or astonishment.

A four-character idiom describing the physical state of extreme shock or surprise. Used to vividly convey speechless astonishment, whether from something impressive, horrifying, or utterly unexpected.

Examples

1. 听到这个惊天大消息，在场的所有人都目瞪口呆，沉默了足足两分钟。 When they heard the earth-shattering news, everyone present was dumbfounded and stayed silent for a full two minutes.
2. 魔术师的最后一个表演令观众目瞪口呆，掌声在短暂的寂静后如雷贯耳。 The magician’s final act left the audience stunned; after a brief hush, the applause erupted like thunder.
3. 面对律师呈上的铁证，被告顿时目瞪口呆，再也说不出任何辩解之词。 Faced with the solid evidence presented by the lawyer, the defendant was instantly speechless and could no longer offer any excuses.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday speech, narrative writing, humour

Tone: vivid/expressive

Do Say

• 当他得知自己中了头彩，整个人目瞪口呆，半晌才回过神来确认这是真实发生的事。(When he learnt he had won the jackpot, he was completely dumbfounded and took a long moment to come to his senses and confirm it was real.)
• 看到精心布置的惊喜派对，她目瞪口呆地站在门口，感动得不知道说什么好。(Seeing the carefully arranged surprise party, she stood dumbfounded at the doorway, so moved she did not know what to say.)

Don't Say

• 把'目瞪口呆'用于描述平静的惊喜或轻微的诧异 (目瞪口呆 implies an extreme, visible physical reaction — it is too strong for mild surprise; use 惊讶 or 诧异 instead)

Origin & History

目(eye) + 瞪(stare wide) + 口(mouth) + 呆(dazed/blank). Literally 'eyes staring wide and mouth hanging dazed' — a vivid picture of stupefied shock.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal