目瞪口呆

• 拼音: mù dèng kǒu dāi
• 汉字拆解: 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

含义

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.

例句

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。
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。
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。

用法指南

语境: everyday speech, narrative writing, humour

语气: vivid/expressive

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal