Definition
眼色 (yǎn sè) refers to a meaningful glance used as a signal (e.g. in 使眼色 'give a wink') and, figuratively, to social perceptiveness (有眼色 'good at reading the room'). It differs from 眼神 (yǎn shén), which describes the emotional expression in the eyes but not specifically a deliberate signal or social skill. 目光 (mù guāng) and 眼光 (yǎn guāng) relate to where one looks or figurative insight/taste, not to signaling.
noun
meaningful glancewink (used as a signal)(figurative) social perceptivenessability to read someone's mood from their facial expressions
Easily confused
- 颜色yán sèsound-alikecolor
Examples
- 眼色，。Tā duì wǒ shǐ le yí xià yǎn sè, shìyì wǒ bié shuōhuà.He gave me a glance, signaling me not to speak.
- 眼色，。Zuò mìshū yào yǒu yǎn sè, zhīdào shénme shíhou gāi shuōhuà.Being a secretary requires social perceptiveness, knowing when to speak.
- 眼色，。Tā yí gè yǎn sè, wǒ jiù míngbai le.He gave me a look, and I understood.
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