mắt xanh
Definition
- Noun (Literary/Idiomatic):
- Favor or special regard: A term from classical Vietnamese literature denoting a look of special favor, esteem, or affectionate attention given to someone.
- Discriminating eye for talent: Refers to the act of recognizing and appreciating someone's talent or worth, often from a person of high status.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Nhà vua có mắt xanh với vị tướng tài. (The king looked with favor upon the talented general.)
- Trong buổi thính phòng, cô ước gì giám khảo có đôi chút mắt xanh cho phần trình diễn của mình. (At the audition, she wished the judges would show a little favor for her performance.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase originates from an ancient Chinese anecdote about Nguyên Tịch (Ruan Ji) of the Tấn (Jin) dynasty, who would look at people he favored with his "green eyes" (mắt xanh) and those he disdained with his "white eyes" (mắt trắng). It is used almost exclusively in literary or formal contexts to describe selective approval or recognition.
Variants and Related Words
- Mắt trắng (n): A look of disdain or contempt, the opposite of "mắt xanh".
- Ông ta nhìn kẻ xu nịnh bằng mắt trắng. (He looked at the flatterer with disdain.)
Synonyms
- Favor: Kind or helpful regard.
- Esteem: Respect and admiration.
- Recognition: Appreciation of someone's abilities.
Related Idioms
- Được mắt xanh: To gain someone's special favor or approval.
- Nhờ tài năng, chàng trai trẻ đã được mắt xanh của vị đạo diễn nổi tiếng. (Thanks to his talent, the young man gained the special favor of the famous director.)