The compound word 显眼 (xiǎnyǎn) is formed by combining the character 显 (xiǎn), meaning "conspicuous" or "to show", with the character 眼 (yǎn), meaning "eye". It follows a descriptive structure common in Chinese where the first element (显) modifies the second (眼), creating the figurative meaning of something that is "eye-catching" or "striking to the eye". Literally, it suggests something that is "conspicuous to the eye", and through common usage, it has solidified as a standard adjective meaning "noticeable" or "prominent".