幻影 (huàn yǐng) — phantom; apparition; mirage; illusion

Definition

幻影 emphasizes something that appears real but is not — a phantom, mirage, or fleeting illusion. Unlike 幻觉 (a mental/sensory misperception) or 错觉 (a mistaken perception), 幻影 is more poetic and visual, often used in figurative writing.

noun

phantomapparitionmirageillusion

Measure word · 个

Examples

幻影。
Tā zǒng jué de shēn hòu yǒu yí gè huàn yǐng zài gēn zhe tā.
He always feels there is a phantom following him.
幻影，。
Zài shā mò lǐ kàn dào de jǐng sè zhǐ shì huàn yǐng, bú shì zhēn shí cún zài de.
The scenery seen in the desert is only a mirage, not real.
幻影，。
Zhè duàn huí yì jiù xiàng huàn yǐng yí yàng, yòu měi yòu bù zhēn shí.
This memory is like a phantom — beautiful yet unreal.