眼
睁
睁

About

The word "眼睁睁" is formed through a vivid, pictorial compounding that mimics and intensifies a physical state of seeing. It reduplicates the verb "睁" (to open one's eyes wide), attaching it to "眼" (eye), to create a dynamic image of eyes held persistently wide open. This structure visually emphasizes a state of helpless, passive observation, as if one's eyes are forced to remain open, unable to blink or look away, thereby directly translating a feeling of powerlessness into a concrete visual metaphor.

Example Sentences Hide

我眼睁睁地看着他走了。

Wǒ yǎnzhēngzhēng de kànzhe tā zǒu le.

I watched helplessly as he left.

她眼睁睁地看着机会从身边溜走。

Tā yǎnzhēngzhēng de kànzhe jīhuì cóng shēnbiān liūzǒu.

She watched helplessly as the opportunity slipped away.

在战场上，士兵们眼睁睁地看着战友倒下。

Zài zhànchǎng shàng, shìbīngmen yǎnzhēngzhēng de kànzhe zhànyǒu dǎoxià.

On the battlefield, the soldiers watched helplessly as their comrades fell.

由于距离太远，我们只能眼睁睁地看着小船被海浪吞没。

Yóuyú jùlí tài yuǎn, wǒmen zhǐ néng yǎnzhēngzhēng de kànzhe xiǎochuán bèi hǎilàng tūnmò.

Because the distance was too far, we could only watch helplessly as the small boat was swallowed by the waves.

尽管内心充满痛苦，他却不得不眼睁睁地看着自己珍视的一切逐渐消失。

Jǐnguǎn nèixīn chōngmǎn tòngkǔ, tā què bùdébù yǎnzhēngzhēng de kànzhe zìjǐ zhēnshì de yīqiè zhújiàn xiāoshī.

Although his heart was full of pain, he had to watch helplessly as everything he cherished gradually disappeared.

Word Definition - 眼睁睁

yǎn zhēng zhēng to stare blankly; to look on helplessly; to look on unfeelingly

Individual Character Details

眼 yǎn
睁 zhēng
睁 zhēng