眱 (dì) - To look askance & to glance sideways

眱Tone 4

dì ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

眱 · dì

To look askance;

to glance sideways;

to look at with contempt or disdain.

To look askanceto glance sidewaysto look at with contempt or disdain.

Usage highlights

Look askanceGlance sidewaysLook at with contemptSidelong glanceLook disdainfully

Synonyms

  • 睨— to look askance; to squint
  • 瞥— to glance; to glimpse
  • 斜视— to look sideways; strabismus

Antonyms

  • 正视— to look straight at; face squarely
  • 直视— to look directly; gaze straight

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He glanced sideways at the newcomer (眱了一眼新来的人).
  • She looked at him with disdain (她眱了他一眼).
  • The teacher cast a sidelong glance at the whispering students (老师眱了一眼窃窃私语的学生).

Collocations

  • Look askance(眱视)
  • Glance sideways(眱一眼)
  • Look at with contempt(眱视)
  • Sidelong glance(眱目)
  • Look disdainfully(眱睨)

Idioms

  • To look askance at someone(眱视)
  • To glance sideways contemptuously(眱睨)
  • To cast a sidelong glance(眱目而视)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • This character appears in classical Chinese texts but is rarely used in modern vernacular.
  • It often carries connotations of disapproval, contempt, or casual observation without direct eye contact.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, direct eye contact was sometimes avoided as a sign of respect, making sidelong glances culturally significant.

FAQ