Definition
海市蜃楼 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'sea market, mirage tower' — an optical illusion where distant objects appear as cities or towers in the sky. Figuratively, it describes any beautiful but illusory vision or plan that is unlikely to become real. The phrase is used both literally (for the natural phenomenon) and metaphorically (for unrealistic hopes or fantasies).
id.
mirage (literal optical phenomenon)figurative illusionpipe dreamunreal vision
Examples
- ，海市蜃楼，。Zài shāmò lǐ, tā yǐwéi zìjǐ kàn dào le hǎi shì shèn lóu, qíshí zhǐ shì huànjué.In the desert, he thought he saw a mirage, but it was just an illusion.
- 海市蜃楼，。Nàge hóngwěi de jìhuà búguò shì hǎi shì shèn lóu, gēnběn bù kěnéng shíxiàn.That grand plan is nothing but a pipe dream; it's completely impossible to realize.
- ，海市蜃楼。Chuánshuō zhōng de Pénglái xiāndǎo, duì gǔrén lái shuō jiù xiàng hǎi shì shèn lóu yíyàng shénmì.The legendary fairy island of Penglai was as mysterious as a mirage to the ancients.
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