左顾右盼

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

Pinyin: zuǒ gù yòu pàn
English Translation: Looking left and right (glancing around)
Idiom Composition: 「左」（Left side）＋「顾」（To look back or look around）＋「右」（Right side）＋「盼」（To gaze or look at）
Meaning: To look around in all directions. It describes someone who is distracted, searching for something, or hesitating. In classical contexts, it can also describe a self-satisfied or proud manner.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「左顾右盼」 contains the following nuances:

Restlessness (Modern Usage): In modern daily life, school, or work contexts, this idiom almost always refers to a lack of focus or the physical act of looking around while searching for something.
Self-Satisfaction (Classical Usage): In classical literature or formal writing, it can describe someone surveying their surroundings with ease and confidence, showing off their success or status.
Hesitation (Psychological State): It can also represent a state of indecision, where a person is looking at various options or worrying about consequences before making a move.

3. Usage

「左顾右盼」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

Distraction or suspicious behavior: Used to describe or warn someone who is not focusing on the task at hand, such as during a class, meeting, or while waiting in line.
- Example:「考试的时候请专心答题，不要左顾右盼。」
  （Please focus on answering the questions during the exam; do not look around.）
Searching for someone or something: An objective description of someone looking around their surroundings, often at a meeting point or in a crowd.
- Example:「他站在车站门口左顾右盼，似乎在等人。」
  （He stood at the station entrance glancing left and right, seemingly waiting for someone.）
Air of pride (Literary): A more formal or literary usage describing someone who looks around with great confidence or self-satisfaction after a success.
- Example:「他刚升了职，走起路来昂首挺胸，左顾右盼，显得十分神气。」
  （Having just been promoted, he walked with his head held high, looking around with an air of pride and looking very sharp.）

Additional Examples:

上课时他总是左顾右盼，很难集中注意力。
（He is always glancing around in class and finds it hard to concentrate.）
进入陌生的环境，孩子有些紧张，不停地左顾右盼。
（Entering an unfamiliar environment, the child was a bit nervous and kept looking around.）
与其左顾右盼犹豫不决，不如立刻行动。
（Instead of hesitating and looking around, it is better to take action immediately.）
小偷混在人群中，左顾右盼，寻找下手的机会。
（The thief blended into the crowd, looking around for an opportunity to strike.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

Evolution of Meaning: Originally, as seen in the letters of the poet Cao Zhi (曹植) from the Three Kingdoms (三国) period, the phrase had a positive connotation of being high-spirited and bold. However, in modern Chinese, it is predominantly used to describe being distracted or acting suspiciously.
Classroom Context: In Chinese schools, teachers frequently use the phrase 不要左顾右盼 (bù yào zuǒ gù yòu pàn) as a standard command to tell students to 'stop looking around' and focus, both to prevent cheating and to ensure they are paying attention.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

Similar Idioms:
Opposite Idioms:
- 目不转睛 (mù bù zhuǎn jīng): To watch with fixed attention without even blinking; to be intensely focused.link
- 目不斜视 (mù bù xié shì): Not looking sideways. It describes being highly focused or having an upright and serious demeanor.
- 一心一意 (yī xīn yī yì): To be wholeheartedly devoted to one thing.link

6. Summary

左顾右盼 (zuǒ gù yòu pàn) literally means to look to the left and gaze to the right. In modern usage, it most commonly describes someone who is distracted or restless, such as a student looking around during a test. It can also imply hesitation or, in more literary contexts, a sense of pride and self-confidence as one surveys their surroundings.