睒 (shǎn) - to glance & to shine

睒Tone 3

shǎn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

姗善

睒 · shǎn

to glance;

to shine;

to flash;

to glimmer;

to twinkle;

archaic usage referring to a swift look or a brief flash of light.

to glanceto shineto flash

Usage highlights

to glance sidewaysto flash and twinkleto glance furtivelyto shine brilliantlya quick lookflashing light

Synonyms

  • 瞥— to glance, to glimpse
  • 闪— to flash, to sparkle
  • 眨— to blink

Antonyms

  • 凝视— to stare, to gaze fixedly
  • 注视— to watch attentively

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The stars twinkle in the night sky (星光睒烁).
  • He glanced sideways at the document (他睒了一眼文件).
  • A glimmer of light appeared in the distance (远处睒出一丝光亮).

Collocations

  • to glance sideways(睒眼)
  • to flash and twinkle(睒烁)
  • to glance furtively(睒窥)
  • to shine brilliantly(睒睒)
  • a quick look(一睒)
  • flashing light(睒电)

Idioms

  • Shining and twinkling(睒睒闪烁)
  • Glancing left and right(左睒右睐)
  • A sudden flash of insight(灵光一睒)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in classical Chinese literature to describe quick, darting movements of the eyes or brief flashes of light.
  • Appears in Buddhist texts, sometimes in transliterations of Sanskrit names or terms.
  • Relatively rare in modern usage, primarily found in literary or poetic contexts.

FAQ