幻灭

幻灭 carries the full sweep of an illusion collapsing into nothing. Subjects are typically 梦想 (dreams), 希望 (hopes), 理想 (ideals), 爱情 (love). Stronger and more literary than the everyday 失望 (shīwàng, 'disappointed'). Mao Dun's 1928 novel 《幻灭》 (Disillusionment) made the word a touchstone for the disillusionment of post-revolutionary intellectuals.

memory

幻 ('illusion') + 灭 ('to extinguish') — an illusion snuffed out. Picture a mirage shimmering away into desert heat.