慧眼 (huì yǎn) — insight; keen discernment; ability to recognize true talent or value

Definition

Literary word for 'discerning eye' — a sharp ability to spot true value or talent. Often paired with 独具 or 识 to highlight someone who can recognize what others miss.

noun
insightkeen discernmentability to recognize true talent or value
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā dú jù huì yǎn, zǒng néng fā xiàn rén cái.
    He has exceptional insight and can always spot talent.
  • 慧眼，。
    Tóu zī zhě yào yǒu huì yǎn, cái néng xuǎn duì xiàng mù.
    Investors need keen insight to pick the right projects.
  • 慧眼。
    Zhè wèi dǎo yǎn yǐ huì yǎn shí chū le xīn rén de qián lì.
    This director used his discerning eye to recognize the newcomer's potential.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

慧huìwise
眼yǎneye

“慧” wise and “眼” eye together suggest a discerning eye.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
彗
彗huì慧huì
Same sound today

慧 combines 彗, which gives the sound, with 心 (heart), which gives the meaning.

Open 慧 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
目目mùeye
Sound part声符shēngfú
艮
艮gèn眼yǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

眼 combines 目, which is an eye, with 艮, which gives the character's sound.

Open 眼 →

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