颦 (pín) - To knit/frown one's brows & to scowl

颦Tone 2

pín ｜ 21 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

颦 · pín

To knit/frown one's brows;

to scowl;

to look worried or anxious;

a facial expression of distress or deep thought.

To knit/frown one's browsto scowlto look worried or anxious

Usage highlights

To knit one's browsFrowning expressionDelicate frownTo frown and smileFrowning appearanceTo imitate a frown

Synonyms

  • 蹙— To knit/frown; to contract
  • 皱— To wrinkle; to crease

Antonyms

  • 笑— To smile; to laugh
  • 舒— To relax; to smooth out

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She frowned slightly at the news (微微颦眉).
  • The poet described her frowning expression (颦蹙的样子).
  • He knitted his brows in deep thought (颦眉思索).
  • Her delicate frown was quite charming (娇颦).

Collocations

  • To knit one's brows(颦眉)
  • Frowning expression(颦蹙)
  • Delicate frown(娇颦)
  • To frown and smile(颦笑)
  • Frowning appearance(颦态)
  • To imitate a frown(效颦)

Idioms

  • Dong Shi imitates the frown(东施效颦)
  • Frowning brows and sad eyes(颦眉蹙额)
  • To frown a thousand times(一颦一笑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character appears in the famous idiom 'Dong Shi imitates the frown' (东施效颦), which warns against blind imitation without understanding context.
  • In classical Chinese aesthetics, a delicate frown (颦) was sometimes considered an attractive, thoughtful expression in women.
  • The character combines 'frequent' (频) and 'forehead' (卑), suggesting repeated furrowing of the brow.

FAQ