Tā dúzì jiābān, wàngzhe chuāngwài de wàn jiā dēng huǒ, xīnlǐ wǔwèi zá chén.
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).
