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曾经沧海难为水,除却巫山不是云
céngjīngcānghǎinánwéishuǐ,chúquèWūShānbùshìyún
Traditional: 曾經滄海難為水,除卻巫山不是雲
there are no rivers to one who has crossed the ocean, and no clouds to one who has passed Mount Wu (idiom) / one who has seen the world doesn't stop at small things
Character Breakdown
曾
céng
already, formerly, once; the past
HSK 5
经
jīng
the classics; to experience, to undergo
HSK 2
沧
cāng
azure, cold, vast (all as of the sea)
HSK 6
海
hǎi
sea, ocean; maritime
HSK 4
难
nán
hard, difficult, arduous; unable
HSK 3
为
wèi
to do, to act; to handle, to govern; to be
HSK 2
水
shuǐ
water, liquid, lotion, juice
HSK 1
除
chú
to eliminate, to remove, to wipe out
HSK 3
却
què
still, but; decline; retreat
HSK 4
巫
wū
wizard, sorcerer, witch, shaman
山
shān
mountain, hill, peak
HSK 3
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1
是
shì
to be; indeed, right, yes; okay
HSK 1
云
yún
cloud; to say, to speak
HSK 4
Additional Information
Category
Chinese
HSK Character Level
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HSK Word Level
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