望洋兴叹
望洋兴叹 (wàng yáng xìng tàn) literally means “gaze at ocean sigh deeply” and expresses “feel overwhelmed by greatness”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Feel overwhelmed by greatness
Pronunciation: wàng yáng xìng tàn
Literal meaning: Gaze at ocean sigh deeply
Origin & Usage
This idiom captures the feeling of gazing (望) at the vast ocean (洋) and responding with deep sighs (兴叹) of awe or resignation. It originated from the Qin Dynasty, reportedly from Jing Ke's reaction upon seeing the eastern sea before his assassination attempt on the future First Emperor. The phrase gained literary prominence during the Tang Dynasty as poets used it to describe confronting overwhelming natural grandeur. The ocean metaphor was particularly meaningful in Chinese cosmology, representing both opportunity and insurmountable vastness. Modern usage describes feeling overwhelmed by challenges that seem beyond one's capabilities, though it maintains subtle appreciation for the magnitude that inspires such feelings.
Examples
English: "The young programmer felt overwhelmed by the advanced technology framework"
Chinese: 年轻的程序员面对这个高级技术框架感到不知所措
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 望洋兴叹 mean in English?
望洋兴叹 (wàng yáng xìng tàn) literally translates to “Gaze at ocean sigh deeply” and is used to express “Feel overwhelmed by greatness”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 望洋兴叹 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving feel overwhelmed by greatness.
What is the pinyin for 望洋兴叹?
The pinyin pronunciation for 望洋兴叹 is “wàng yáng xìng tàn”.