Definition

Adjective 1. Cross-eyed; squint-eyed: Describes eyes that are misaligned, looking in different directions, typically due to a condition called strabismus. 2. Looking askance; glancing sideways: Describes the action of turning or directing one's eyes to look sideways or obliquely, often in a quick or furtive manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Describing a condition):
  • Đứa bé bị mắt hiếng từ nhỏ. (The child has been cross-eyed since childhood.)
  • Anh ấy có đôi mắt hơi hiếng. (He has slightly squinty eyes.)
• Verb (Describing an action):
  • Nó hiếng mắt nhìn qua khe cửa. (He glanced sideways through the door crack.)
  • Cô ấy hiếng mắt liếc nhìn đồng hồ. (She squinted a glance at the clock.)

Advanced Usage

• "hiêng hiếng": A reduplicative form indicating a slight or minor degree of being cross-eyed or glancing sideways.
  • Đôi mắt nó nhìn hiêng hiếng trông rất ngộ. (His eyes look slightly cross-eyed, which appears very funny.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lác (adj/n): A more common and general synonym for "cross-eyed" or "strabismus". While "hiếng" can imply a specific inward turn, "lác" is the broader medical/popular term.
  • Mắt bị lác. (To have a squint/crossed eyes.)
• Liếc (v): To glance, to look sideways quickly. This focuses solely on the action, not a physical condition.
  • Cô ấy liếc nhìn tôi. (She glanced at me.)

Synonyms

• Lé (adj): Often used similarly to "hiếng" or "lác" to describe misaligned eyes.
• Strabismic (adj - Medical term): Pertaining to strabismus.
• Askance (adv): With a side glance; suspiciously (used for the action, not the condition).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Nhìn hiếng: To look sideways/aslant; to give a sidelong glance.
  • Anh ta nhìn hiếng về phía cô ấy. (He looked askance in her direction.)
• (Nói) mát/xiên như mắt hiếng: (To speak) in a sarcastic, indirect, or cutting manner, likened to the oblique direction of a cross-eyed glance.
  • Cô ấy nói mát như mắt hiếng khiến ai cũng khó chịu. (She speaks with such cutting sarcasm that it makes everyone uncomfortable.)

adj

1. cross-eyed; squint-eyed