眩

xuàn

玄 + 目

Definitions

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

Etymology phono-semantic

eye

Semantic: 目 Phonetic: 玄

About

眩 is a phono-semantic compound that pairs the eye radical 目 (signifying vision) on the left with the phonetic element 玄 on the right. Its primary meaning refers to the physical sensation of dizziness, blurred vision, or vertigo, a state where one's eyesight becomes unsteady or unfocused due to illness or disorientation. The character's use then extends to the visual experience of being dazzled or blinded by extremely bright, flashing, or glaring lights, a temporary loss of clear vision. In this way, 眩 covers both internal disorientation and the external visual overload that overwhelms the eyes.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我有点眩晕。

Wǒ yǒudiǎn xuànyūn.

I feel a bit dizzy.

长时间看书会眩晕。

Cháng shíjiān kànshū huì xuànyūn.

Reading for a long time can cause dizziness.

阳光太眩目了。

Yángguāng tài xuànmù le.

The sunlight is too dazzling.

瀑布的水花很眩目。

Pùbù de shuǐhuā hěn xuànmù.

The spray from the waterfall is very dazzling.

他突然感到一阵眩晕。

Tā túrán gǎndào yīzhèn xuànyūn.

He suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

这种眩光对眼睛有害。

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，可能会眩晕。

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眩惑。

Xiàndài chéngshì de níhóngdēng chángcháng lìng rén xuànhuò.

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

Related Characters

Component: 玄

Component: 目

眩