忽明忽暗 (hū míng hū àn) — flickering; now bright, now dim

Definition

A vivid idiom for light or a signal that keeps switching between bright and dim — a real flicker, not a steady glow. By extension, it can describe moods or situations that alternate abruptly.

idiom

flickeringnow brightnow dim

Examples

忽明忽暗，。
Yuǎn chù de dēng guāng hū míng hū àn, xiàng shì yǒu rén zài qiú jiù.
The light in the distance was flickering, as if someone was signaling for help.
忽明忽暗，，。
Tā de xīn qíng hū míng hū àn, yí huì r gāo xìng, yí huì r nán guò.
His mood kept shifting — happy one moment, sad the next.
忽明忽暗，。
Xìn hào dēng hū míng hū àn, kě néng shì diàn lù chū le wèn tí.
The signal light was flickering; there might be a problem with the circuit.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.