目不转睛

mù bù zhuǎn jīng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

Save to list

Definitions

1. unable to take one's eyes off (idiom); to gaze steadily
2. to stare

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 一瞥 yī piē 一瞥 yī piē glance 一瞥 means a quick glance, opposite of staring fixedly.: glance

Related words

1 item

• 目不斜视 mù bù xié shì 目不斜视 mù bù xié shì not to glance sideways (idiom) Another idiom meaning to look steadily and not sideways, showing concentration.: not to glance sideways (idiom)

Synonyms

2 items

• 凝视 níng shì 凝视 níng shì to gaze at Both mean to gaze intently, but 凝视 is more literary and often describes a thoughtful or emotional stare.: to gaze at
• 注视 zhù shì 注视 zhù shì to look attentively at; to closely watch; to gaze at 注视 means to gaze or watch attentively; similar to 目不转睛 but can be used in broader contexts.: to look attentively at; to closely watch; to gaze at

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Often misused as a verb on its own. It must be followed by a verb phrase like 地看, e.g., 他目不转睛地看着屏幕.

Formality

Used in formal and written contexts. In casual speech, saying 眼睛一眨不眨地看着 is more natural.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他 目不转睛 地看着窗外。

He gazed steadily out the window.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 目不转睛

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 转 转 zhuǎi: see 轉文|转文[zhuǎi wén]
• 转 转 zhuǎn: to turn
• 转 转 zhuàn: to revolve
• 目 目 mù: eye
• 睛 睛 jīng: eye; eyeball