瞑 (míng) - To close the eyes & to fall asleep
瞑 · míng
To close the eyes;
to fall asleep;
to die;
to be dim or dark.
To close the eyesto fall asleepto die
Usage highlights
Close one's eyesFall into a deep sleepDie with eyes closedDark and gloomyDuskUnable to close eyes in death
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He closed his eyes to rest (瞑目休息).
- The old man passed away peacefully (瞑目而逝).
- The sky grew dark at dusk (日暮天瞑).
Collocations
- Close one's eyes(瞑目)
- Fall into a deep sleep(深瞑)
- Die with eyes closed(瞑目而逝)
- Dark and gloomy(晦瞑)
- Dusk(夕瞑)
- Unable to close eyes in death(死不瞑目)
Idioms
- To die with injustice unavenged(死不瞑目)
- To die without regret(死亦瞑目)
- To die content(瞑目无憾)
Cultural background
FAQ- In traditional Chinese culture, 'dying with eyes open' (死不瞑目) symbolizes dying with unresolved grievances or unfulfilled wishes.
- The character appears in classical texts describing death, sleep, and twilight states.
- Associated with Buddhist and Daoist concepts of meditation and entering spiritual states through eye closure.