(yǎn) — eye; small hole; eye (of a needle); (classifier) for hollow objects such as wells, stoves, pots; also for a glance

Definition

眼 (yǎn) is the bound or literary form of 'eye' — use it in compounds (针眼 'eye of a needle') or as a classifier for hollow things (一眼井 'a well'); for the everyday word meaning 'eye' (the body part), learners should use 眼睛.

noun
eyesmall holeeye (of a needle)
classifier
for hollow objects such as wellsstovespotsalso for a glance
Measure word · 只, 双

Examples

  • Tā yǒu yì shuāng dà yǎn.
    She has a pair of big eyes.
  • Yuàn zi lǐ yǒu yì yǎn jǐng.
    There is a well in the yard.
  • Wǒ yì yǎn jiù fā xiàn yǒu wèn tí.
    At a glance I found that there was a problem.

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