close yet worlds apart; so near and yet so far
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
so close, yet so far; physically near but difficult to meet, as if separated by the horizon
literaryDescribes the paradox of being geographically close yet separated by circumstances, emotions, or misunderstandings. Often used for estranged relationships, unrequited love, or political estrangement.
Tā他
men们
suī虽
rán然
zhù住
zài在
tóng同
yī一
gè个
chéng城
shì市
，
què却
zhǐ咫
chǐ尺
tiān天
yá涯
，
yī一
nián年
yě也
jiàn见
bù不
dào到
yī一
cì次
miàn面
。
Although they live in the same city, they are worlds apart and cannot see each other even once a year.
Zhè这
duì对
liàn恋
rén人
míng明
míng明
zhǐ只
gé隔
le了
yī一
tiáo条
jiē街
，
què却
yīn因
wèi为
wù误
huì会
ér而
zhǐ咫
chǐ尺
tiān天
yá涯
。
This couple was clearly separated by only one street, yet due to a misunderstanding they were so close yet so far.
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Zài在
zhè这
gè个
shù数
zì字
huà化
shí时
dài代
，
rén人
yǔ与
rén人
zhī之
jiān间
de的
jù距
lí离
kàn看
sì似
zhǐ咫
chǐ尺
tiān天
yá涯
。
In this digital age, the distance between people seems to be simultaneously close and far.