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眼光 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
眼光yǎnguānggazeHSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #5318, Hard
眼光yǎnguānginsightHSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #5318, Hard
眼光yǎnguāngforesightHSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #5318, Hard
眼光yǎnguāngvisionHSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #5318, Hard
眼光yǎnguāngway of looking at thingsHSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #5318, Hard
yǎnguāng(yan3guang1)yan guang T3
  1. 1gaze
  2. 2insight
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March 24, 2026

眼光yǎnguāng(yan3guang1)

眼光 (yǎn guāng) refers to one's gaze or insight, particularly in terms of perception, judgment, and foresight. It is commonly used to describe how someone views a situation or makes decisions, often implying a depth of understanding or unique perspective.

Strokes17Frequency#5318DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, having good 眼光 is often associated with wisdom and the ability to make sound decisions, especially in business or personal relationships. It reflects a deep respect for insight and foresight.

Memory tip

Imagine a bright, shining eye (眼) that allows you to see far and wide (光). This eye not only sees the present but also has the ability to foresee the future, representing both insight and vision.

Meanings of 眼光

yǎnguāng(yan3guang1)
1gaze
2insight
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 眼光

眼光Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5318Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 眼光

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Podcast: 眼光

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AI study notes for 眼光

Quick Contrast

目光 (mùguāng) refers to one's gaze or sight, typically in a more literal sense, whereas 眼光 emphasizes insight and judgment.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 眼光 with similar terms such as 视野 (shì yě), which means 'field of vision.' 眼光 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in discussions about personal qualities or insights. Remember it is a noun and should be used accordingly.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 眼光 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to perception and insight, such as 观察 (guān chá, to observe) and 见解 (jiàn jiě, viewpoint). Focus on using it in contexts that demonstrate critical thinking or judgment.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 眼光 with 眼睛 (yǎn jīng, eye) due to their similar appearance. For example, saying '我有很好的 眼睛' instead of '我有很好的 眼光' would be incorrect, as it changes the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 眼光

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Component characters

眼yǎneye
HSK 511 strokes目
View full entry
光guānglight
HSK 46 strokes儿
View full entry

How to say gaze in Chinese

“gaze” in Chinese is眼光yǎnguāng

眼光 (yǎn guāng) refers to one's gaze or insight, particularly in terms of perception, judgment, and foresight. It is commonly used to describe how someone views a situation or makes decisions, often implying a depth of understanding or unique perspective.

When to use 眼光

Be careful not to confuse 眼光 with similar terms such as 视野 (shì yě), which means 'field of vision.' 眼光 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in discussions about personal qualities or insights. Remember it is a noun and should be used accordingly.

眼光 or something close to it

目光 (mùguāng) refers to one's gaze or sight, typically in a more literal sense, whereas 眼光 emphasizes insight and judgment.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 眼光 with 眼睛 (yǎn jīng, eye) due to their similar appearance. For example, saying '我有很好的 眼睛' instead of '我有很好的 眼光' would be incorrect, as it changes the intended meaning.

Write 眼光

眼
光

Practice writing 眼光 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 眼光

眼光 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

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大家不要只看眼前的利益，也不要只追求短期的利润，要有长远的____，以免产生不必要的损失。

Everyone should not just look at immediate benefits, nor only pursue short-term profits — we need long-term vision, so as to avoid unnecessary losses.

Example sentences for 眼光 (15)

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1
这使他倾向以批判眼光看待我们的传统。

zhè shǐ tā qīngxiàng yǐ pīpàn yǎnguāng kàndài wǒmen de chuántǒng。

This has given him a disposition to consider our traditions critically.
2
威廉是个有鉴赏力的人，对于品质的优劣很有眼光。

wēi lián shì gè yǒu jiànshǎng lì de rén， duìyú pǐnzhì de yōu liè hěn yǒu yǎnguāng。

William was a man of discernment, with an eye for quality.
3
她眼光一闪，但他举起一只手说：“让我把话讲完。”

tā yǎnguāng yī shǎn， dàn tā jǔ qǐ yī zhī shǒu shuō：“ ràng wǒ bǎ huà jiǎng wán。”

Her eyes flashed, but he held up a hand. "Let me finish."
4
卢克的妈妈收起了笑容，用责备的眼光看着他。

lú kè de māma shōu qǐ le xiàoróng， yòng zébèi de yǎnguāng kàn zhe tā。

Luke's mother stopped smiling and looked reproachfully at him.
5
在时尚方面她的眼光错不了。

zài shíshàng fāngmiàn tā de yǎnguāng cuò bù le。

She had an infallible eye for style.
6
那个击球手起步较慢,但是当他的眼光变得准确起来后,他打了几个很好的球.

nàge jī qiú shǒu qǐbù jiào màn, dànshì dāng tā de yǎnguāng biàn de zhǔnquè qǐlái hòu, tā dǎ le jǐ gè hěn hǎode qiú.

The batsman began slowly but once he got his eye in he started to play some very good shots.
7
我说呀,你真有眼光.

wǒ shuō yā, nǐ zhēn yǒu yǎnguāng.

I must say that you have good taste.
8
他抬起头来, 一对贪婪的眼光露出馋涎欲滴的神情.

tā tái qǐ tóu lái, yī duì tānlán de yǎnguāng lòu chū chán xián yù dī de shénqíng.

He raised his head, with a look of unrestrained greed in his covetous eyes.
9
然而赵伯韬只管吸烟,一言不发,眼光也不大往李玉亭脸上溜.

rán’ér zhào bà tāo zhǐguǎn xīyān, yìyánbùfā, yǎnguāng yě bùdà wǎng Lǐ yù tíng liǎn shàng liū.

But Chao Po - tao smoked on without a word and hardly glanced at Li Yu - ting.
10
居住在乡下使他眼光变窄了.

jūzhù zài xiāngxia shǐ tā yǎnguāng biàn zhǎi le.

Living in the countryside has narrowed him.
11
她在画展上停住脚步，仔细地用欣赏的眼光打量每一幅作品。

Tā zài huàzhǎn shàng tíngzhù jiǎobù, zǐxì de yòng xīnshǎng de yǎnguāng dǎliang měi yī fú zuòpǐn.

She paused at the art exhibition, gazing carefully at each piece with an appreciative gaze.
12
他默默地站在窗前，用忧郁的眼光凝视着远方的山脉。

Tā mòmò de zhàn zài chuāng qián, yòng yōuyù de yǎnguāng níngshìzhe yuǎnfāng de shānmài.

He stood silently by the window, gazing melancholically at the distant mountains.
13
在演讲结束时，观众的眼光都聚焦在演讲者身上，期待他的话语。

Zài yǎnjiǎng jiéshù shí, guānzhòng de yǎnguāng dōu jùjiāo zài yǎnjiǎng zhě shēnshang, qídài tā de huàyǔ.

At the end of the speech, the audience's gaze was focused on the speaker, anticipating his words.
14
他的眼光扫过房间，寻找那个他最想见到的人。

Tā de yǎnguāng sǎoguò fángjiān, xúnzhǎo nàgè tā zuì xiǎng jiàndào de rén.

His gaze swept across the room, searching for the person he most wanted to see.
15
孩子们的眼光被绚丽的烟花吸引住了，兴奋地喊叫着。

Háizimen de yǎnguāng bèi xuànlì de yānhuā xīyǐn zhùle, xīngfèn de hǎnjiào zhe.

The children's gaze was captivated by the dazzling fireworks, and they shouted excitedly.

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Frequently asked questions about 眼光

Yes, 眼光 can describe someone's aesthetic taste or judgment, indicating they have a good sense of style.

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