东张西望

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: dōng zhāng xī wàng
• English Translation: To look around restlessly, to gaze about
• Idiom Composition: 「东」（East）＋「张」（To look around）＋「西」（West）＋「望」（To gaze）
• Meaning: Describes looking around restlessly, glancing from east to west. It indicates a state of being distracted and unable to concentrate.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「东张西望」 contains the following nuances:

• Distraction: Describes a lack of concentration and being easily distracted.
• Curiosity: Describes being interested in the surroundings and looking around.
• Anxiety/Vigilance: Describes restlessly checking the surroundings due to worry or vigilance.
• Inappropriate behavior: Depending on the time and situation, it can sometimes be considered inappropriate or rude behavior.

3. Usage

「东张西望」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing actions: Used to describe someone looking around restlessly.
  • Example:「上课的时候，他老是东张西望，不专心听讲。」
    （During class, he was always looking around, not paying attention.）
• Expressing psychological state: Used to express a person's internal state, such as anxiety or curiosity.
  • Example:「刚到一个新环境，她有些紧张，不停地东张西望。」
    （Having just arrived in a new environment, she was a bit nervous and kept looking around.）
• Figurative expression: Can also be used figuratively to describe being distracted, rather than physically looking around.
  • Example:「做事情要专心，不要东张西望，这样才能提高效率。」
    （When doing things, you should concentrate and not look around, that way you can improve efficiency.）

Additional Examples:

1. 考试的时候，他东张西望，被老师警告了。
   （During the exam, he was looking around, and the teacher warned him.）
2. 第一次来大城市，他东张西望，对什么都感到新鲜。
   （It was his first time in a big city, and he was looking around, finding everything new.）
3. 那个小男孩站在人群中，东张西望地寻找他的妈妈。
   （The little boy stood in the crowd, looking around for his mother.）
4. 他一边走路一边东张西望，差点撞到电线杆上。
   （He was walking and looking around, almost bumping into a utility pole.）
5. 在博物馆里，参观者们东张西望，欣赏着各种展品。
   （In the museum, visitors were looking around, admiring various exhibits.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Etiquette: In China, '东张西望' (looking around distractedly) during class or meetings can be considered rude. Such behavior should be avoided in situations requiring concentration.
• Animal descriptions: It is used not only for human behavior but also to describe animal behavior, such as a vigilant cat or a bird searching for prey.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 左顾右盼 (zuǒ gù yòu pàn): To look left and right, to glance around.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 目不转睛 (mù bù zhuǎn jīng): To stare fixedly, not to blink.
  • 全神贯注 (quán shén guàn zhù): To concentrate one's whole attention, to be absorbed in.

6. Summary

'东张西望' is an expression that vividly describes a person's actions and psychological state. By using this idiom, you can convey not just the act of 'looking around' but also the underlying nuances of distraction, curiosity, or anxiety. However, it can sometimes be considered rude depending on the situation, so caution is advised when using it. Master this idiom to broaden your range of Chinese expressions.