About
The character "眼", representing the eye, is etymologically a phono-semantic compound formed by the semantic radical "目", which denotes concepts related to vision, and the phonetic component "艮", which guides its pronunciation. Initially, in classical Chinese usage, this term specifically referred to the eyeball, drawing a distinction from the broader word "目" that encompassed the entire organ or the act of seeing. Over the course of its historical development, the meaning of "眼" expanded to designate the eye in its entirety, and subsequently, through metaphorical extension, it came to describe small openings or vital points, as observed in compound words such as "针眼" for the eye of a needle or "腰眼" for the small of the back. While its core structure has remained consistent, the semantic range of the character has thus shifted from a narrow anatomical focus to a wider array of applications, all while retaining its fundamental connection to the concept of sight through the enduring "目" component.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
眼睛是心灵的窗户。
他戴上了一副新眼镜。
妹妹的眼圈红了，快要哭了。
他的眼光长远，善于规划未来。
医生仔细检查了他的眼底。
透过现象看本质需要敏锐的眼力。
这场艺术展览让我大开眼界。
他敏锐地察觉到计划中的关键点，真是独具慧眼。