catch a glimpse of; see momentarily
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to catch a glimpse of; to see momentarily
neutralEmphasizes a brief, often unintentional sighting. The action is quick, not a prolonged look. Can be used in both written and spoken contexts, though slightly more formal or literary.
Zài在
jiē街
shàng上
，
wǒ我
wú无
yì意
jiān间
piē瞥
jiàn见
le了
duō多
nián年
bú不
jiàn见
de的
lǎo老
péng朋
you友
。
On the street, I accidentally caught a glimpse of an old friend I hadn't seen for years.
Wǒ我
piē瞥
jiàn见
chuāng窗
wài外
yǒu有
yī一
zhī只
xiǎo小
niǎo鸟
fēi飞
guò过
。
I glimpsed a small bird flying past outside the window.
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Tā他
cōng匆
cōng匆
yī一
piē瞥
，
piē瞥
jiàn见
le了
bào报
gào告
shàng上
de的
guān关
jiàn键
shù数
jù据
。
With a quick glance, he saw the key data on the report.
Wǒ我
cóng从
mén门
fèng缝
lǐ里
piē瞥
jiàn见
fáng房
jiān间
lǐ里
yǒu有
rén人
yǐng影
。
Through the crack in the door, I glimpsed a figure in the room.