光阴荏苒

光陰荏苒
guāngyīn-rěnrǎn
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 time slipping quietly by
  2. 2 the years drift on
  3. 3 how imperceptibly time passes

Examples

Guāngyīnrěnrǎn, bùzhībùjué yòu yī nián.
Time drifts by and another year has slipped past without notice.
Guāngyīnrěnrǎn, xū dāng zhēnxī.
Time slips by — we must treasure it.
Guāngyīnrěnrǎn, dāngnián de tóngxué gèbēndōngxī.
As the years drifted on, our old classmates scattered in all directions.

Tips

usage
is the specific word for time slipping away imperceptibly — subtler than 光阴似箭 (time like arrows). Use 光阴荏苒 for quiet reflection on years passing; use 光阴似箭 for shock at how fast they went.

Stroke Order

guāng
yīn
rěn
rǎn