# 望眼欲穿

wàng yǎn yù chuān

Wait with intense longing

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Gaze until the eyes seem worn through

**Register:** Longing · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe anxious anticipation of someone or something.

Emotional exaggeration, not an eye condition.

## Understanding the expression

The eyes keep searching for an arrival so long that they seem ready to wear through. The expression describes longing combined with waiting, often for a person, letter, or hoped for news. Modern use can be tender, anxious, or lightly humorous. It emphasizes the emotional intensity rather than a precise length of time. The waited for event may matter deeply even when an observer thinks the delay is fairly short.

## Examples

母亲等孩子回家，望眼欲穿。

### Traditional Chinese

母親等孩子回家，望眼欲穿。

mǔ qīn děng hái zi huí jiā ， wàng yǎn yù chuān 。

The mother waits longingly for her child to return.

大家等录取通知，望眼欲穿。

### Traditional Chinese

大家等錄取通知，望眼欲穿。

dà jiā děng lù qǔ tōng zhī ， wàng yǎn yù chuān 。

Everyone anxiously awaits the acceptance notices.

她望眼欲穿地盼着好友来访。

### Traditional Chinese

她望眼欲穿地盼著好友來訪。

tā wàng yǎn yù chuān dì pàn zhe hǎo yǒu lái fǎng 。

She eagerly waits for her friend's visit.

等了一个月，我已经望眼欲穿。

### Traditional Chinese

等了一個月，我已經望眼欲穿。

děng le yí gè yuè ， wǒ yǐ jīng wàng yǎn yù chuān 。

After a month of waiting, I am desperate for it to arrive.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%9C%9B%E7%9C%BC%E6%AC%B2%E7%A9%BF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=346&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [妄自尊大 wàng zì zūn dà Overestimate one's importance ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-zi-zun-da)

- [委曲求全 wěi qū qiú quán Make concessions to preserve a larger relationship or outcome ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wei-qu-qiu-quan)

- [唯唯诺诺 wéi wéi nuò nuò Agree timidly without expressing one's own view ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wei-wei-nuo-nuo)

- [文不对题 wén bù duì tí Write something that does not address the topic ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wen-bu-dui-ti)

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