Definition
眨眼 (zhǎ yǎn) is a verb meaning 'to blink' (the physical eye movement) or 'to wink' (a deliberate signal). It contrasts with 转眼 (zhuǎn yǎn) and 一晃 (yí huàng), which are used figuratively for time passing in an instant ('in the blink of an eye'), not for the actual eye action. 眨眼 can also be used figuratively in the set phrase 一眨眼的功夫.
verb
to blinkto wink
Examples
- 眨眼，。Tā yìzhí zài zhǎ yǎn, yǎnjīng hǎoxiàng bú tài shūfu.He keeps blinking — his eyes seem uncomfortable.
- 眨眼，。Tā duì wǒ zhǎ yǎn le yí xià, shìyì wǒ bú yào shuō xiàqù.She winked at me, signaling I should stop talking.
- 眨眼，。Yì zhǎ yǎn de gōngfu, huǒchē jiù kāi yuǎn le.In the blink of an eye, the train had already traveled far away.
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