青眼白眼 — “Green eyes and white eyes”
青眼白眼 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to look favorably upon those one likes and unfavorably upon those one dislikes; to show favor or disdain depending on personal preference”. Literally, “Green eyes and white eyes”.
青眼白眼 Pronunciation and Pinyin
青眼白眼 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 青眼白眼
Origin and Story of 青眼白眼
During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, Ruan Ji was a free-spirited and uninhibited person, always acting on his impulses.
When his mother passed away, Ji Xi, the younger brother of Ji Kang, came to offer condolences. Ruan Ji disliked him and greeted him with a white eye (a dismissive glance). Ji Xi returned and complained to Ji Kang about the cold reception.
Ji Kang then brought wine and a guqin (a seven-stringed zither) to offer condolences. Ruan Ji was delighted to see him and immediately changed to a green eye (a favorable, welcoming look), receiving him warmly.
Idioms Related to 青眼白眼
More idioms starting with 青
- qīng青sī丝bái白mǎ马rebels or insurgents
- qīng青yún云wàn万lǐ里Boundless and brilliant future
- qīng青yún云dé得yì意achieve great career success
- qīng青yún云dé得lù路have a smooth and successful career path
- qīng青yún云dú独bù步unrivaled in one's field
- qīng青yún云zhí直shàng上rapidly rise in position
- qīng青chū出yú于lán蓝The student surpasses the teacher
- qīng青chū出yú于lán蓝ér而shèng胜yú于lán蓝The student surpasses the teacher
- qīng青kǒu口bái白shé舌speak carelessly and offensively
- qīng青shǐ史chuán传míng名earn lasting fame in history
- qīng青shǐ史chuí垂míng名achieve lasting fame in history
- qīng青shǐ史biāo标míng名leave a glorious name in history
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Open the tool →Questions about 青眼白眼
What does 青眼白眼 mean?
青眼白眼 (qīng yǎn bái yǎn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to look favorably upon those one likes and unfavorably upon those one dislikes; to show favor or disdain depending on personal preference”.
How do you pronounce 青眼白眼?
青眼白眼 is pronounced qīng yǎn bái yǎn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 青眼白眼 literally mean?
Literally, 青眼白眼 means “Green eyes and white eyes”. It is used to mean “to look favorably upon those one likes and unfavorably upon those one dislikes; to show favor or disdain depending on personal preference”.
Where does 青眼白眼 come from?
青眼白眼 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 青眼白眼?
青眼：正视的眼光；白眼：斜视的眼光。形容用不同的眼光看待自己好恶的人