Definitions

xuàn (literary) dizzy; (literary) dazzled; bewildered; to dazzle (variant of 炫[xuàn])

Etymology phono-semantic

eye

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "眩" is constructed from the semantic radical "目", relating to the eye, and the component "玄", which functions phonetically while also evoking notions of obscurity or dimness. Its original meaning centered on physical visual disturbances, such as being dazzled by brightness or experiencing blurred sight. Over time, the scope of "眩" widened to describe not only physical dizziness but also mental states of confusion and bewilderment, reflecting an adaptation from purely sensory experiences to include metaphorical applications. This shift illustrates how the character's fundamental idea of perceptual disarray has been extended to both literal and figurative realms, preserving its utility in terms denoting vertigo, dazzle, and mental perplexity.

Etymology Hide

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

Example Sentences Hide

我有点晕。

Wǒ yǒudiǎn xuànyūn.

I feel a bit dizzy.

长时间看书会晕。

Cháng shíjiān kànshū huì xuànyūn.

Reading for a long time can cause dizziness.

阳光太目了。

Yángguāng tài xuànmù le.

The sunlight is too dazzling.

瀑布的水花很目。

Pùbù de shuǐhuā hěn xuànmù.

The spray from the waterfall is very dazzling.

他突然感到一阵晕。

Tā túrán gǎndào yīzhèn xuànyūn.

He suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

这种光对眼睛有害。

Zhè zhǒng xuànguāng duì yǎnjīng yǒu hài.

This kind of glare is harmful to the eyes.

如果你蹲下后突然站起来,可能会晕。

Rúguǒ nǐ dūnxià hòu túrán zhàn qǐlái, kěnéng huì xuànyūn.

If you squat down and then stand up suddenly, you might feel dizzy.

现代城市的霓虹灯常常令人惑。

Xiàndài chéngshì de níhóngdēng chángcháng lìng rén xuànhuò.

The neon lights of modern cities often make people dazzled and confused.