Tā dúzì jiābān, wàng zhe chuāngwài de wànjiā-dēnghuǒ, xīnlǐ wǔwèi-záchén.
Working late alone, he looked out at the city's countless lit windows with mixed feelings.
Tips
history
From Zeng Pu's 《孽海花》 (late Qing novel): 万家灯火吹箫路，五夜星辰赌酒天 - a flute-player's path lit by ten thousand lamps. The phrase has carried that romantic urban-night feel ever since.
usage
Almost always evocative and emotional - used in essays, lyrics, and poetic descriptions of cities at night. Often signals warmth, belonging, or its absence (loneliness amid the lights).
