chán mắt
Definition
Adjective phrase: - Visually satiated; to have seen enough of something (often to the point of weariness or boredom): Describes the state of being tired of looking at something because one has seen it too much or for too long, leading to a lack of visual interest or pleasure. - To feast one's eyes on something; to look one's fill (in a positive, satisfying sense, though this is less common): Can sometimes imply looking at something beautiful or desirable until one is fully satisfied, though the connotation of eventual weariness is often present.
Usage Examples
- (I've been watching cartoons all day, now I'm sick of the sight of them.)
- (She bought too many pink shirts; it's tiresome to look at.)
- (The exhibition is full of fake antiques; viewers find it visually unappealing / get bored looking at them.)
Advanced Usage
- "Xem cho chán mắt": To look at something to one's heart's content (until one is fully satisfied or, ironically, until one is tired of it).
- Triển lãm tranh đẹp quá, tôi muốn ở lại xem cho chán mắt. (The painting exhibition is so beautiful, I want to stay and feast my eyes on it / look at it until I've had my fill.)
- "Không chán mắt": Without tiring of seeing it; to watch something lovingly or intently without getting bored.
- Bà không chán mắt nhìn đứa cháu mới sinh. (The grandmother couldn't take her eyes off her newborn grandchild.)
Variants and Related Words
- Chán (adj): Bored, tired of, fed up with. The core adjective meaning "boredom" or "weariness".
- Ngán (adj): Similar to "chán", but often implies a feeling of being fed up or disgusted from overindulgence, used for both food and sight.
- Nhìn cảnh đó mãi cũng ngán. (Looking at that scene repeatedly is disgusting/tiresome.)
Synonyms
- Ngán ngẩm (adj phrase): To feel weary and disgusted at the sight of something.
- Phát ngấy (v phrase, informal): To become sick of, to be fed up with (can apply to sight, food, or situations).
Related Idioms
- "No bụng đói con mắt": Literally "full stomach, hungry eyes". Contrasts with "chán mắt", meaning one is physically full but still finds the sight of (food) appealing and wants to look at it more.
- Ăn no rồi nhưng nhìn bánh ngọt vẫn thèm, đúng là no bụng đói con mắt. (I'm full but still crave looking at the cakes; it's true that the eye is bigger than the stomach.)