Definition
合眼 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to close one's eyes' and, by extension, 'to get to sleep' — especially in negative constructions like 合不上眼 ('can't fall asleep'). The verb 合 and the noun 眼 can split when inserting aspect markers, complements, or duration: 合上眼 ('close the eyes'), 合了一会儿眼 ('closed the eyes for a while'). You don't put an object after 合眼 directly; instead, use 合上眼 for the literal action.
v
to close one's eyesto get to sleep (often used in negative constructions like 合不上眼)
Examples
- ，。Tā tài lèi le, yì tǎng xià jiù hé shàng le yǎn.He was so tired that he closed his eyes as soon as he lay down.
- ，。Zuówǎn wǒ hē le kāfēi, zěnme yě hé bú shàng yǎn.Last night I drank coffee and just couldn't fall asleep.
- ，。Tā hé le yíhuìr yǎn, yòu jìxù gōngzuò.He closed his eyes for a while and then continued working.
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