mei4 loi4 ngaan5 heoi3眉來眼去眉来眼去
Jyutpingmei4 loi4 ngaan5 heoi3
Yalemèih lòih ngáahn heui
Definition
To flirt with the eyes; to exchange flirtatious glances or make eyes at one another.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom carries a slightly negative or gossipy connotation, often implying that the flirting is secretive or inappropriate for the setting. It is frequently used to call out people who think they are being subtle but are actually quite obvious to onlookers. Unlike simple flirting, it specifically highlights the visual exchange between two parties.
Examples
Those two are always flirting with their eyes at the office.
What are you two doing making eyes at each other?
Related words
Common phrases
secretly making eyes at each other
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a simple wink or a quick glance, as it implies a sustained or repeated exchange of suggestive looks. It is strictly for romantic or sexualized interaction, so using it for casual non-romantic eye contact will sound confusing or overly dramatic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
