← IDIOMS · FRIENDSHIP
HSK 7-9
méi眉eyebrowskāi开openyǎn眼eyesxiào笑smile
To beam with joy; to be all smiles.

Literal meaning

eyebrows (眉) — open (开) — eyes (眼) — smile (笑)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase describing a joyful and happy expression.

Examples

tīng听dào到zhè这ge个hǎo好xiāo消xi息,tā她méi眉kāi开yǎn眼xiào笑。
Hearing this good news, she beamed with joy.
hái孩zi子men们shōu收dào到lǐ礼wù物,gè个gè个méi眉kāi开yǎn眼xiào笑。
The children received gifts and were all smiles.

Usage & nuances

Describes a visible expression of happiness and delight.

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