见钱眼开

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jiàn qián yǎn kāi
• English Translation: To change one's expression upon seeing money; to be greedy for money; unscrupulous
• Idiom Composition: 「见」（To see）＋「钱」（Money）＋「眼」（Eye）＋「开」（Open）
• Meaning: Describes someone who immediately desires money upon seeing it. It is used to characterize greedy people or behaviors with a strong attachment to money, often willing to use any means to gain profit.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「见钱眼开」 contains the following nuances:

• Strong attachment to money: Expresses an abnormal level of attachment to money and profit.
• Lack of moral principles: Suggests ignoring morals and ethics or using unscrupulous means for the sake of making money.
• Blatant attitude: Means openly showing greed for money without trying to hide it.
• Strong negative connotation: Usually used with criticism or contempt, it carries a very negative meaning.

3. Usage

「见钱眼开」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing personality traits: Used to describe greedy and unscrupulous individuals.
  • Example:「他是个见钱眼开的家伙，为了钱什么都干得出来。」
    （He is a guy who is greedy for money and will do anything for it.）
• Criticism of behavior: Used to criticize unethical, money-driven behavior.
  • Example:「这家公司见钱眼开，为了赚钱不惜污染环境。」
    （This company will do anything for money, even polluting the environment.）
• Warning about social phenomena: Sometimes used to warn against the materialistic tendencies in society.
  • Example:「现在社会上见钱眼开的人越来越多，真让人担忧。」
    （Nowadays, more and more people in society are greedy for money, which is truly worrying.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他一听说有赚钱的机会，立刻见钱眼开，连夜赶了过去。
   （As soon as he heard about a money-making opportunity, he changed his expression greedily and rushed there overnight.）
2. 这位官员见钱眼开，收受贿赂，最终被判入狱。
   （This official was greedy for money, accepted bribes, and was eventually sentenced to prison.）
3. 他平时装得很大方，其实是个见钱眼开的小人。
   （He usually acts generous, but in fact, he is a greedy and unscrupulous person.）
4. 在这个见钱眼开的社会里，还有多少人能保持初心呢？
   （In this society where money is everything, how many people can still keep their original intentions?）
5. 不要被他的花言巧语所迷惑，他只是一个见钱眼开的商人。
   （Don't be fooled by his smooth talk; he is just a greedy for money businessman.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Criticism of materialism: In traditional Chinese values, excessive greed for money is considered immoral and is disliked. '见钱眼开' is used as an expression criticizing money-worshiping attitudes based on this cultural background.
• Colloquial expression: '见钱眼开' is a relatively colloquial phrase. In formal writing, more appropriate expressions should be chosen.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 贪财好利 (tān cái hào lì): To be greedy for money and profit.
  • 财迷心窍 (cái mí xīn qiào): To be blinded by money and lose one's sanity.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 清高自守 (qīng gāo zì shǒu): To be honest and pure, not seeking fame or fortune.

6. Summary

'见钱眼开' is an idiom used to strongly criticize excessive greed for money and unethical behavior. In traditional Chinese values, money is considered merely a means of living, and making it an end in itself is regarded as immoral. This idiom reflects such values and serves as a warning against materialistic trends in modern society. Learning this idiom can enhance your Chinese expression skills and deepen your understanding of Chinese society and culture.