Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to vanish into nothing' or 'to come to nothing'. Literally 'to turn into black (nothing)', it is used when hopes, efforts, plans, or possessions completely disappear without a trace. The correct pronunciation is huà wéi wū yǒu, though some learners may encounter a variant reading.
f.e.
to vanish into thin airto come to nothing
Examples
- 化为乌有。Tā de mèngxiǎng quánbù huā le.All his dreams have vanished into thin air.
- 化为乌有。Wǒmen de nǔlì bù néng huā.Our efforts must not come to nothing.
- 化为乌有。Nà bǐ tóuzī zuìzhōng huā.That investment eventually came to nothing.
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