Definition
昏天黑地 is a four-character idiom with a vivid literal image of 'dark sky and black earth'. It covers three main figurative meanings: describing extremely dim or murky weather/lighting; referring to a physical state of dizziness, disorientation, or loss of consciousness; and characterizing a way of life as decadent, chaotic, or morally confused. You can choose the appropriate sense based on context—for example, 外面昏天黑地 (pitch-dark outside) vs. 过得昏天黑地 (living a depraved life).
f.e.
pitch-dark (sky or environment)dizzy or disoriented (physical state)losing consciousnessdecadentchaoticor morally confused (way of life)
Examples
- 昏天黑地，。Wàimiàn hūn tiān hēi de de, yào xià dà yǔ le.It's pitch-dark outside; it's going to rain heavily.
- ，昏天黑地，。Wǒ fā gāoshāo, gǎnjué hūn tiān hēi de, zhàn dōu zhàn bù wěn.I have a high fever and feel dizzy; I can't even stand steadily.
- ，昏天黑地。Nà duàn rìzi tā zhěngtiān dǔbó hējiǔ, guò de hūn tiān hēi de.During those days he gambled and drank all day, living a chaotic and decadent life.
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