物是人非
Chinese
thing; object; matter | be; yes; this | man; person; people | (be) not; wrong; blame (be) not; wrong; blame; Africa | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
trad. (物是人非) | 物 | 是 | 人 | 非 | |
simp. #(物是人非) | 物 | 是 | 人 | 非 |
Etymology
First used by Cao Pi.
Pronunciation
Idiom
物是人非
- the things are still there but the person or people no longer are (describing the passing of a loved one or a revisit of a once familiar place)
Usage notes
Also used as 物是人非事事休, a line in Li Qingzhao's poem.
See also
- 時過境遷/时过境迁 (shíguòjìngqiān)