hēi yǎn quān: 黑眼圈 - Dark Circles (under the eyes)

• Keywords: heiyanquan, 黑眼圈, dark circles in Chinese, how to say panda eyes in Chinese, tired eyes Chinese, hēi yǎn quān meaning, black eye circles, eye bags Chinese, 熬夜, aoye, sleep deprivation.
• Summary: Learn how to say “dark circles” in Chinese with the term 黑眼圈 (hēi yǎn quān). This entry explores its literal meaning (“black eye circles”), its deep connection to modern China's work culture and academic pressure, and how to use it in everyday conversation. Discover why it's different from a “black eye” from an injury and learn related terms like 熬夜 (áoyè - to stay up late) and the popular slang 熊猫眼 (xióngmāo yǎn - panda eyes).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): hēi yǎn quān
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: Dark, discolored circles or shadows appearing under the eyes.
• In a Nutshell: 黑眼圈 is the direct and most common way to describe the dark patches under your eyes that come from fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, or genetics. It's a very visual and universally understood sign of being tired or overworked. In China, it's often mentioned with a mix of complaint, self-deprecating humor, and a shared sense of struggle against the pressures of modern life.

• 黑 (hēi): Black, dark. This character originally depicted a person with a soot-stained face from a fire.
• 眼 (yǎn): Eye. This character is a pictogram of an eye, rotated 90 degrees.
• 圈 (quān): Circle, ring, loop. The character shows a boundary or an enclosure.

When combined, 黑 (hēi) + 眼 (yǎn) + 圈 (quān) literally translates to “black eye circles,” making it a highly descriptive and logical term that's easy for learners to remember.

While “dark circles” in the West are simply a sign of tiredness, in China, 黑眼圈 (hēi yǎn quān) carries a heavier cultural weight tied to the nation's intense work and study ethic. They are often seen as a physical manifestation of personal sacrifice for a greater goal, whether it's studying for the grueling national college entrance exam (高考 - gāokǎo) or working long hours in the “996” (9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week) tech culture. Mentioning your 黑眼圈 can be a way of signaling your hard work and diligence, often with a tone of weary pride or dark humor. The term is frequently used alongside a more vivid slang term, 熊猫眼 (xióngmāo yǎn), or “panda eyes.” This comparison is not just about the look but also taps into the beloved national symbol of the panda. Calling someone's dark circles “panda eyes” can be a slightly softer, more playful, or even sympathetic way to point out their exhaustion. This contrasts with the Western context, where there isn't a similarly common and culturally specific animal comparison.

黑眼圈 is an extremely common term used in various informal and semi-formal contexts.

• Daily Conversation: Friends and family will often comment on each other's 黑眼圈 as a way of showing concern. For example, “你的黑眼圈怎么这么重？” (Why are your dark circles so heavy/dark?). It's a common way to start a conversation about someone's well-being.
• Work and Study: It's a badge of honor and a common complaint among students and office workers. People might post on social media, “这个星期的项目让我有了新的黑眼圈。” (This week's project gave me new dark circles.)
• Beauty and Skincare: The term is central to the marketing of countless beauty products. Advertisements for eye creams, serums, and concealers will almost always feature the term 黑眼圈, promising to reduce or eliminate them.
• Connotation: The connotation is negative from an aesthetic and health standpoint, but its usage can range from sympathetic to humorous. It's almost never used in a truly formal or academic setting, unless in a medical or dermatological context.

• Example 1:
  • 你看我的黑眼圈，我昨晚只睡了四个小时。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn wǒ de hēi yǎn quān, wǒ zuówǎn zhǐ shuìle sì gè xiǎoshí.
  • English: Look at my dark circles, I only slept for four hours last night.
  • Analysis: A very common way to complain about a lack of sleep, using your dark circles as evidence.
• Example 2:
  • 你最近是不是太累了？黑眼圈都出来了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuìjìn shì bùshì tài lèi le? Hēi yǎn quān dōu chūlái le.
  • English: Have you been too tired recently? Your dark circles are showing.
  • Analysis: The phrase “都出来了 (dōu chūlái le)” emphasizes that the dark circles have appeared and are noticeable. This is a typical expression of concern.
• Example 3:
  • 为了准备考试，我熬夜熬出了严重的黑眼圈。
  • Pinyin: Wèile zhǔnbèi kǎoshì, wǒ áoyè áo chūle yánzhòng de hēi yǎn quān.
  • English: In order to prepare for the exam, I pulled an all-nighter and got serious dark circles.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links the cause (熬夜 - áoyè, staying up late) with the effect (黑眼圈). The verb “熬出 (áo chū)” vividly means “to get something through endurance/suffering.”
• Example 4:
  • 有没有什么眼霜可以去掉黑眼圈？
  • Pinyin: Yǒu méiyǒu shé me yǎnshuāng kěyǐ qùdiào hēi yǎn quān?
  • English: Are there any eye creams that can get rid of dark circles?
  • Analysis: A practical question you might ask when shopping for skincare products. 去掉 (qùdiào) means “to get rid of” or “to remove.”
• Example 5:
  • 她的黑眼圈很重，看起来没什么精神。
  • Pinyin: Tā de hēi yǎn quān hěn zhòng, kàn qǐlái méishénme jīngshén.
  • English: Her dark circles are very heavy, she doesn't look very energetic.
  • Analysis: The adjective 重 (zhòng), meaning “heavy,” is the standard way to describe dark circles that are very prominent and dark.
• Example 6:
  • 别担心，我可以用遮瑕膏盖住我的黑眼圈。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒ kěyǐ yòng zhēxiá gāo gàizhù wǒ de hēi yǎn quān.
  • English: Don't worry, I can use concealer to cover my dark circles.
  • Analysis: This sentence introduces vocabulary related to cosmetics. 遮瑕膏 (zhēxiá gāo) is concealer, and 盖住 (gàizhù) means “to cover up.”
• Example 7:
  • 医生说，长期的黑眼圈可能是健康问题的信号。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō, chángqí de hēi yǎn quān kěnéng shì jiànkāng wèntí de xìnhào.
  • English: The doctor said that long-term dark circles might be a sign of health problems.
  • Analysis: This shows a more serious, medical context for the term. 长期 (chángqí) means “long-term.”
• Example 8:
  • 我儿子天天玩游戏到半夜，现在黑眼圈跟熊猫一样。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ érzi tiāntiān wán yóuxì dào bànyè, xiànzài hēi yǎn quān gēn xióngmāo yīyàng.
  • English: My son plays games until midnight every day, now his dark circles are just like a panda's.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly uses the popular “panda” comparison to emphasize how severe the dark circles are.
• Example 9:
  • 连续加班一个星期，我们团队每个人都顶着黑眼圈。
  • Pinyin: Liánxù jiābān yīgè xīngqí, wǒmen tuánduì měi gèrén dōu dǐngzhe hēi yǎn quān.
  • English: After working overtime for a week straight, everyone on our team is sporting dark circles.
  • Analysis: The verb 顶着 (dǐngzhe) literally means “to carry on one's head,” creating a vivid image of people “wearing” their exhaustion.
• Example 10:
  • 充足的睡眠是消除黑眼圈最好的方法。
  • Pinyin: Chōngzú de shuìmián shì xiāochú hēi yǎn quān zuì hǎo de fāngfǎ.
  • English: Getting enough sleep is the best way to eliminate dark circles.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides advice, using the more formal verb 消除 (xiāochú - to eliminate, to dispel).

The most critical mistake for learners is confusing 黑眼圈 (hēi yǎn quān) with a “black eye” from an injury.

• 黑眼圈 (hēi yǎn quān): Refers ONLY to the dark shadows under the eyes caused by fatigue, genetics, etc. It is a cosmetic or health-related issue.
• A “Black Eye” (from a punch): In Chinese, this is typically called 眼眶青肿 (yǎn kuàng qīng zhǒng), meaning “eye socket bruised and swollen,” or described as 眼睛被打青了 (yǎnjīng bèi dǎ qīng le), “the eye was hit until it turned purple/bruised.” In casual speech, the slang 熊猫眼 (xióngmāo yǎn) can also refer to an injury-related black eye, so context is key.

Incorrect Usage Example:

• Incorrect: 我和别人打架了，现在我有一个黑眼圈。 (Wǒ hé biérén dǎjià le, xiànzài wǒ yǒu yīgè hēi yǎn quān.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you got in a fight and are now simply very tired. The listener would be confused.
• Correct: 我和别人打架了，现在我的眼睛被打青了。(Wǒ hé biérén dǎjià le, xiànzài wǒ de yǎnjīng bèi dǎ qīng le.) - “I got in a fight, and now my eye is bruised.”

• 熊猫眼 (xióngmāo yǎn) - “Panda eyes.” A very common and vivid slang term for severe 黑眼圈.
• 熬夜 (áoyè) - To stay up late, to pull an all-nighter. This is the most frequently cited cause of 黑眼圈.
• 加班 (jiābān) - To work overtime. Another common reason for 熬夜 and getting 黑眼圈.
• 眼袋 (yǎndài) - Eye bags. Puffy bags under the eyes that often accompany 黑眼圈.
• 睡眠不足 (shuìmián bùzú) - Lack of sleep, sleep deprivation. The underlying condition that leads to 黑眼圈.
• 疲劳 (píláo) - Fatigue, exhaustion. The general feeling associated with having 黑眼圈.
• 护肤 (hùfū) - Skincare. The field and practice concerned with treating conditions like 黑眼圈.
• 遮瑕膏 (zhēxiá gāo) - Concealer. A cosmetic product used to hide 黑眼圈.
• 精神 (jīngshén) - Spirit, energy, vigor. Having 黑眼圈 is a sign of lacking 精神.