Definition
眼巴巴 is a reduplicated stative adverb (状态副词) that describes someone staring or waiting with anxious eagerness mixed with helplessness — often used in situations where the person desires something but cannot do anything about it. It typically modifies verbs like 等 (wait), 看/望 (watch/look), or 求 (beg), and is followed by 地 (de) when used adverbially. The tone is one of yearning tinged with frustration, not just ordinary expectation.
r.f.
(stative adverb) anxiously waiting for something (with a sense of helplessness)(stative adverb) watching helplesslyunable to intervene
Examples
- 眼巴巴。Háizimen yǎn bā bā de děng zhe māma dài lǐwù huílái.The children were waiting anxiously for their mother to bring back gifts.
- 眼巴巴。Tā yǎn bā bā de kàn zhe zuìhòu yì bān chē kāi zǒu.He watched helplessly as the last bus drove away.
- 眼巴巴。Pínkùn dìqū de rénmen yǎn bā bā de pànwàng zhe yuánzhù de dàolái.People in impoverished areas eagerly looked forward to the arrival of aid.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.