Definitions

piē (verb) to glance; to glimpse
piē (verb) to appear briefly; to flash by

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 瞥, denoting a quick or passing glance, is etymologically structured as a phono-semantic compound combining the radical 目, meaning eye, with the component 敝, which primarily serves a phonetic role while possibly contributing a sense of deterioration or wear, thus together evoking the idea of a visual action that is brief or insubstantial. This construction has inherently linked the character to acts of sight from its inception, with its meaning centered on a swift and often casual look, a semantic focus that has persisted throughout its usage without major alteration. While the character's form has remained consistent, its application in various texts has reinforced this core concept, demonstrating how its compositional logic continues to support a stable and specific visual meaning across historical periods.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

见了那只小猫。

Tā piējiàn le nà zhī xiǎo māo.

He caught a glimpse of that little cat.

了一眼窗外的风景。

Wǒ piē le yī yǎn chuāng wài de fēngjǐng.

I took a glance at the scenery outside the window.

她匆匆了一下手表。

Tā cōngcōng piē le yīxià shǒubiǎo.

She quickly glanced at her watch.

在人群中,我见了一个熟悉的身影。

Zài rénqún zhōng, wǒ piējiàn le yīgè shúxī de shēnyǐng.

In the crowd, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

了她一眼,然后继续看书。

Tā piē le tā yī yǎn, ránhòu jìxù kàn shū.

He glanced at her, then continued reading.

我从镜子里见了自己的表情。

Wǒ cóng jìngzi lǐ piējiàn le zìjǐ de biǎoqíng.

I caught a glimpse of my own expression in the mirror.

尽管只是短暂的一,但我记住了他的面孔。

Jǐnguǎn zhǐshì duǎnzàn de yī piē, dàn wǒ jìzhù le tā de miànkǒng.

Although it was just a brief glance, I remembered his face.

他从报告上抬起头,了一眼正在发言的同事,随即又低下头去。

Tā cóng bàogào shàng tái qǐ tóu, piē le yī yǎn zhèngzài fāyán de tóngshì, suíjí yòu dī xià tóu qù.

He raised his head from the report, glanced at the colleague who was speaking, and then lowered his head again.