(of time) pass gradually; elapse
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
(of time) to pass gradually; to elapse; to wear on
literaryA literary term (书面语) describing the gradual passing of time, often used with 光阴 (time) or 岁月 (years).
Guāng光
yīn阴
rěn荏
rǎn苒
，
zhuǎn转
shùn瞬
yǐ已
shì是
sān三
nián年
。
Time passes swiftly, and in the blink of an eye three years have gone by.
Suì岁
yuè月
rěn荏
rǎn苒
，
wǒ我
men们
dōu都
jiàn渐
jiàn渐
lǎo老
le了
。
As the years slip by, we are all gradually growing old.
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Rěn荏
rǎn苒
de的
shí时
guāng光
dài带
zǒu走
le了
qīng青
chūn春
。
The fleeting passage of time has taken away youth.