眨眼

• Pinyin: zhǎ yǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 眨 = 目 + 乏 (to blink); 眼 = 目 + 艮 (eye)

Meaning

To blink; to wink. The rapid closing and opening of the eyelids.

Used literally for blinking and figuratively to indicate a very short time: 一眨眼 (in the blink of an eye), 眨眼间 (in an instant). Winking can signal communication or flirtation. 眨眼功夫 means a brief moment.

Examples

1. 一眨眼三年过去了，孩子们都已长大成人。 In the blink of an eye, three years have passed, and the kids are all grown up.
2. 她冲我眨眼，示意我不要说出去。 She winked at me, signaling me not to tell anyone.
3. 他紧盯着屏幕，连眼睛都不敢眨一下。 He stared at the screen without daring to blink.

Usage Guide

Context: description, time expressions, body language

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他说谎时从不眨眼，镇定自若得让人难以分辨真假。(He never blinks when lying, so calm that it's hard to tell truth from fiction.)
• 一眨眼假期就结束了，又要回去上班了。(In the blink of an eye the holiday is over and it's back to work.)

Don't Say

• 眨眼很多次 — for repeated blinking, say 眨了好几下眼 or 不停地眨眼

Origin & History

眨 (to blink) + 眼 (eye)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal