东张西望

• Pinyin: dōng zhāng xī wàng
• Desglose de hanzi: 东 = 木 + 日 (east); 张 = 弓 + 长 (to stretch/gaze); 西 = 覀 (west); 望 = 亡 + 月 + 王 (to look into the distance)

Significado

Mirar a un lado y a otro; mirar alrededor.

Typically carries a slightly negative connotation — implying a person is not paying proper attention, is anxious, or is behaving suspiciously. Also used literally to describe someone unfamiliar with a place who looks around out of curiosity or disorientation.

Ejemplos

1. 考试期间，监考老师发现他东张西望，立刻上前给予警告。
2. 她在陌生街道上东张西望，显然是第一次来这个地方。
3. 他东张西望了好一阵，才鼓起勇气走进那家店。

Guía de uso

Contexto: behaviour, social observation, colloquial

Tono: neutral

Correcto

• 他进入考场后便开始东张西望，令监考人员产生了怀疑。(He started looking around in all directions after entering the exam hall, arousing the suspicion of the invigilators.)
• 初到异乡的她东张西望，对周围的一切都充满了好奇与新鲜感。(Newly arrived in a foreign land, she looked about in all directions, full of curiosity and wonder at everything around her.)

Incorrecto

• 他东张西望地读书 — contradictory; 东张西望 implies being unfocused and distracted, which is incompatible with attentive reading

Origen e historia

东 (east) + 张 (to gaze/stretch) + 西 (west) + 望 (to look into the distance) — looking east and west, glancing about in all directions

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal