illusion; bubble; empty dream
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
dream, illusion, bubble, shadow; ephemeral and illusory nature of things
literaryOriginates from Buddhist sutras, describing the illusory nature of the material world. Used in a philosophical or literary context.
Fó佛
jiā家
rèn认
wéi为
，
gōng功
míng名
lì利
lù禄
jiē皆
shì是
mèng梦
huàn幻
pào泡
yǐng影
。
Buddhists believe that fame and fortune are all illusions and bubbles.
Tā他
kàn看
tòu透
le了
shì世
jiān间
de的
fán繁
huá华
，
jué觉
dé得
yī一
qiè切
dōu都
rú如
mèng梦
huàn幻
pào泡
yǐng影
。
He saw through the world's splendor and felt everything was like a dream and a bubble.
noun
empty, easily shattered illusion; pipe dream
neutralA modern metaphorical use. Often used to describe unrealistic hopes, plans, or expectations that are doomed to fail.
Bù不
fù付
chū出
nǔ努
lì力
jiù就
xiǎng想
chéng成
gōng功
，
nà那
bù不
guò过
shì是
mèng梦
huàn幻
pào泡
yǐng影
。
Wanting to succeed without putting in effort is nothing but a pipe dream.
Tā他
nà那
xiē些
yī一
yè夜
bào暴
fù富
de的
jì计
huà划
，
zuì最
zhōng终
dōu都
huà化
wéi为
le了
mèng梦
huàn幻
pào泡
yǐng影
。
His plans to get rich overnight ultimately turned to dust and shadows.
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Zhàn战
zhēng争
de的
shèng胜
lì利
ràng让
tā他
men们
de的
dú独
lì立
mèng梦
xiǎng想
huà化
zuò作
le了
mèng梦
huàn幻
pào泡
yǐng影
。
The war's victory turned their dream of independence into a shattered illusion.