Definition
如梦初醒 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'as if waking from a dream' — it describes the moment of sudden realization or understanding after being confused or unaware. You can use it when someone finally grasps a truth they missed before, often after a shock or revelation. The literal image is of someone just waking up, dazed but now seeing clearly.
f.e.
as if waking from a dreama sudden realization or awakening
Examples
- ，如梦初醒，。Tīng le tā de huà, wǒ rú mèng chū xǐng, zhōngyú míngbai le zhēnxiàng.After hearing his words, I felt as if waking from a dream and finally understood the truth.
- ，如梦初醒，。Kàn dào chéngjì dān, tā cái rú mèng chū xǐng, zhīdào zìjǐ píngshí bú gòu nǔlì.Seeing the report card, he suddenly realized like waking from a dream that he hadn't worked hard enough.
- ，如梦初醒，。Zhídào shīqù jīhuì, tā cái rú mèng chū xǐng, hòuhuǐ dāngchū méiyǒu zhēnxī.Only after losing the opportunity did she wake up as if from a dream, regretting not cherishing it earlier.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.