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肉眼 (ròu yǎn) — the naked eye, unaided vision; (figurative) the perspective of a layperson; unspecialized observation

Definition

Literally "flesh eye," it means unaided human vision (vs. through a microscope or instrument). It also contrasts a layperson's ordinary observation with that of a specialist or expert.

noun
the naked eyeunaided vision(figurative) the perspective of a laypersonunspecialized observation

Examples

  • 肉眼。
    Yòng ròu yǎn jiù néng kàn dào tiān shàng de xīng xing.
    You can see the stars in the sky with the naked eye.
  • 肉眼。
    Zhè ge xì jié yòng ròu yǎn hěn nán fā xiàn.
    This detail is hard to spot with the naked eye.
  • 肉眼，。
    ròu yǎn Kàn de chū lái, tā shì wài háng.
    It's obvious to the naked eye that he's an amateur.

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.

肉ròuflesh
眼yǎneye

肉 and 眼 together suggest the natural human eye, without instruments.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The original shape of 肉 showed ribs of an animal’s torso, or simply a slice of meat.

Open 肉 →

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 →
Appears in
Body PartsSenses

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