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March 24, 2026
盯dīng(ding1)
The verb 盯 (dīng) means to watch something attentively or to fix one's gaze on it. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is observing an object, person, or situation closely, often implying a sense of focus or intensity in the act of watching.
Strokes7Radical目Frequency#1240DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 盯 (dīng) can be viewed in various contexts, such as in competitive environments like sports or academics, where intense focus is valued. Additionally, it can sometimes imply scrutiny or judgment, especially in social situations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a hawk, with its sharp eyes, 盯 (dīng) on its prey. The character 盯 consists of the 'eye' radical (目) and the component '丁' which can remind you of a sharp gaze. Visualize the hawk's fierce focus to help remember the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 盯
dīng(ding1)
1to watch attentively
2to fix one's attention on
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 盯
盯Simplified
7Strokes
目Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1240Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 盯
Podcast: 盯
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AI Study Notes for 盯
Quick Contrast
盯 (dīng) vs 注视 (zhùshì) — use 盯 when emphasizing a fixed, intense gaze, while 注视 is more neutral and can imply a longer duration of observation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a hawk, with its sharp eyes, 盯 (dīng) on its prey. The character 盯 consists of the 'eye' radical (目) and the component '丁' which can remind you of a sharp gaze. Visualize the hawk's fierce focus to help remember the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 盯 (dīng) with other similar verbs like 看 (kàn, to see) or 注视 (zhùshì, to gaze). 盯 is more intense and implies a lack of distraction. It is often used in informal contexts, but can be suitable in formal settings when describing focused observation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 盯 (dīng) relates to other advanced vocabulary that describes actions and states of attention or observation, such as 注意 (zhùyì, to pay attention) and 观察 (guānchá, to observe). Focus on the nuances between these terms as you expand your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 盯 (dīng) can be viewed in various contexts, such as in competitive environments like sports or academics, where intense focus is valued. Additionally, it can sometimes imply scrutiny or judgment, especially in social situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 盯 (dīng) with 看 (kàn), which is more general. For example, saying '我盯了一本书' (I stared at a book) is incorrect; it should be '我看了一本书' (I read a book) unless you mean to imply intense focus.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 盯
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Grammar Patterns of 盯
盯 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
虽然他有通行证，卫兵还是直勾勾地____着他。
The guard eyeballed him pretty hard despite his pass.
Example Sentences for 盯 (10)
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1
虽然他有通行证，卫兵还是直勾勾地盯着他。
suī rán tā yǒu tōng háng zhèng， ， wèi bīng huán shì zhí gōu gōu dì dīng zháo。
The guard eyeballed him pretty hard despite his pass.
2
他困惑地盯着那个瓶子看了好一会儿。
tā kùn huò dì dīng zháo nà gè píng zǐ kàn le hǎo yī huì ér。
The golden rule in tennis is to keep your eye on the ball.
4
我盯着那个人看，视线无法移开。
wǒ dīng zháo nà gè rén kàn， ， shì xiàn wú fǎ yí。
I stared at the man, couldn't tear my eyes away.
5
这个小女孩眼睛一直紧盯着他身后的那堵墙。
zhè gè xiǎo nǚ hái yǎn jīng yī zhí jǐn dīng zháo tā shēn hòu de nà dǔ qiáng。
The child kept her eyes fixed on the wall behind him.
6
尼克环视着盯着自己的那一张张憔悴的面孔。
ní kè huán shì zháo dīng zháo zì jǐ de nà yī zhāng zhāng qiáo cuì de miàn kǒng。
Nick glanced around at the haggard faces watching him.
7
在一次重大的秘密调查行动中，警察从伦敦就盯上了那帮匪徒。
zài yī cì zhòng dà de mì mì tiáo chá háng dòng zhōng， ， jǐng chá cóng lún dūn jiù dīng shàng le nà bāng fěi。
Officers had tailed the gang from London during a major undercover inquiry.
8
她反感地盯着他那长及衣领的一头乱发。
tā fǎn gǎn dì dīng zháo tā nà cháng jí yī lǐng de yī tóu luàn fā。
She eyed his unruly collar-length hair with disfavour.
9
她说话的时候直盯着他的脸。
tā shuō huà de shí hòu zhí dīng zháo tā de liǎn。
She looked him full in the face as she spoke.
10
他用暗淡无神的蓝眼睛盯着我看。
tā yòng àn dàn wú shén de lán yǎn jīng dīng zháo wǒ kàn。
He stared at me out of those washed-out blue eyes.
Cultural Notes for 盯
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of 盯 (dīng) can be viewed in various contexts, such as in competitive environments like sports or academics, where intense focus is valued. Additionally, it can sometimes imply scrutiny or judgment, especially in social situations.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, staring or intense watching can be perceived as intrusive or rude, while in Chinese culture, it may be seen as a sign of interest or engagement.
Word Family of 盯
Words Containing This Character4
盯dīngto stare at
盯住to watch sb closely
盯梢to tail
盯视to stare fixedly盯視
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 盯 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 盯
盯 is generally informal but can be used in formal contexts when describing focused observation.
Yes, you can use 盯 to describe focusing on a person, but be mindful of the context as it may imply judgment.
Some synonyms include 注视 (zhùshì, to gaze) and 关注 (guānzhù, to pay attention), but each has its specific nuances.
