泡影 (pào yǐng) — (figurative) something illusory and short-lived; a shattered hope
Definition
Literally 'bubble and shadow' — used only figuratively for a hope or plan that has dissolved into nothing. Almost always appears after 成/化为/变成 to mean 'come to nothing'.
noun
(figurative) something illusory and short-liveda shattered hope
Examples
- 泡影。Suǒ yǒu de nǔ lì zuì zhōng dōu huà wéi pào yǐng.All the efforts ultimately turned into nothing.
- 泡影，。Tā de mèng xiǎng jiù xiàng yí gè pào yǐng, hěn kuài jiù xiāo shī le.His dream was like a bubble — it vanished quickly.
- 泡影。Nà ge jì huà chè dǐ chéng le pào yǐng.That plan completely fell apart.
Appears in
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