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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
Abstract Concepts

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