眼巴巴 (yǎn bā bā) — (stative adverb) anxiously waiting for something (with a sense of helplessness); (stative adverb) watching helplessly, unable to intervene
Definition
A vivid stative adverb meaning 'waiting/watching helplessly,' with a hint of eagerness or powerlessness. Only used before a verb with 地, never as a stand-alone adjective.
bound form
(stative adverb) anxiously waiting for something (with a sense of helplessness)(stative adverb) watching helplesslyunable to intervene
Examples
- 眼巴巴。Hái zi men yǎn bā bā dì děng zhe mā ma dài lǐ wù huí lái.The children were waiting anxiously for their mother to bring back gifts.
- 眼巴巴。Tā yǎn bā bā dì kàn zhe zuì hòu yì bān chē kāi zǒu.He watched helplessly as the last bus drove away.
- 眼巴巴。Pín kùn dì qū de rén men yǎn bā bā dì pàn wàng zhe yuán zhù de dào lái.People in impoverished areas eagerly looked forward to the arrival of aid.
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