昙花一现
昙花一现 (tán huā yī xiàn) literally means “night flower appears once” and expresses “brief, fleeting appearance”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: tan hua yi xian, tan hua yi xian,昙花一现 meaning, 昙花一现 in english
Brief, fleeting appearance
Pronunciation: tán huā yī xiàn
Literal meaning: Night flower appears once
Origin & Usage
This botanical idiom refers to the epiphyllum or night-blooming cereus (昙花) that appears/blooms (现) just once (一) briefly, originating from Buddhist texts of the Tang Dynasty. Monks used this rare flower, which blooms for a single night before wilting, as a metaphor for the impermanence of worldly phenomena. The image gained poetic resonance during the Song Dynasty, appearing in verses about fleeting moments of beauty or opportunity. The specific botanical reference was meaningful as this flower was treasured precisely because of its transience. Modern usage describes any brief but remarkable appearance - from short-lived celebrities to temporary business success - emphasizing both the intensity and brevity of the phenomenon.
Examples
English: "The young artist gained brief fame before disappearing from public view"
Chinese: 这位年轻艺术家获得短暂的名声后就从公众视野中消失了
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 昙花一现 mean in English?
昙花一现 (tán huā yī xiàn) literally translates to “Night flower appears once” and is used to express “Brief, fleeting appearance”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 昙花一现 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving brief, fleeting appearance.
What is the pinyin for 昙花一现?
The pinyin pronunciation for 昙花一现 is “tán huā yī xiàn”.