‘闭目’ literally means ‘to close the eyes’—‘闭’ (bì) means ‘to close’ or ‘to shut’, and ‘目’ (mù) means ‘eye’ or ‘eyes’. Together, they form a compact, formal verb phrase commonly used in contexts involving rest, meditation, concentration, or physical examination. It is more literary and concise than the colloquial expression ‘把眼睛闭上’ (bǎ yǎnjīng bì shàng), and often appears in written Chinese, health instructions, or mindfulness guidance.

The phrase is typically used intransitively (no object required), though it can take an object like ‘闭目养神’ (bì mù yǎng shén, ‘close eyes to nourish the spirit’). It frequently appears in compound expressions rather than as a standalone predicate in casual speech. You’ll see it in yoga manuals, traditional medicine texts, and relaxation apps—always implying intentional, purposeful eye-closing, not just blinking or falling asleep.