眉目传情
眉目传情 (méi mù chuán qíng) literally means “convey feelings through eyes” and expresses “non-verbal affection”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: mei mu chuan qing, mei mu chuan qing,眉目传情 meaning, 眉目传情 in english
Non-verbal affection
Pronunciation: méi mù chuán qíng Literal meaning: Convey feelings through eyes
Origin & Usage
Eyebrows (眉) and eyes (目) carrying (传) feeling (情). The phrase is fixed in Chinese literature by The Romance of the Western Chamber, where the lovers conduct much of their courtship in a household where speaking is not possible. That is the setting it implies. It describes affection communicated under constraint, which is why it belongs to romance rather than to ordinary friendliness, and why it can carry a whiff of impropriety — the looks are being exchanged because the words would be noticed.
Examples
English: "Their glances across the room spoke volumes about their unspoken affection."
Chinese: 他们的眼神交流中眉目传情。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
言传身教
yán chuán shēn jiào
Teach by word and deed
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言归正传
yán guī zhèng zhuàn
Focus on main point
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喜上眉梢
xǐ shàng méi shāo
Visibly delighted; may joy come your way
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眉飞色舞
méi fēi sè wǔ
Be animated with excitement
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眉开眼笑
méi kāi yǎn xiào
Be all smiles; radiate happiness
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愁眉苦脸
chóu méi kǔ liǎn
Look worried and unhappy
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举案齐眉
jǔ àn qí méi
Married couple with great mutual respect
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待人热情
dài rén rè qíng
Treat others with genuine warmth and enthusiasm
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 眉目传情 mean in English?
眉目传情 (méi mù chuán qíng) literally translates to “Convey feelings through eyes” and is used to express “Non-verbal affection”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 眉目传情 used?
Situation: Their glances across the room spoke volumes about their unspoken affection.
What is the pinyin for 眉目传情?
The pinyin pronunciation for 眉目传情 is “méi mù chuán qíng”.