槐南一梦 — “A metaphor for the transient and illusory nature of life”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 槐南一梦?

比喻人生如梦，富贵得失无常。

槐南一梦 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a metaphor for the transient and illusory nature of life”. Suggesting that worldly prosperity and loss are as fleeting as a dream. Literally, “A dream south of the Sophora tree”.

Frequency

槐南一梦 Pronunciation and Pinyin

槐南一梦 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
槐	huái	13	scholar tree
南	nán	9	south direction
一	yī	1	one, a, single, whole
梦	mèng	11	dream

Example Sentence with 槐南一梦

他辛辛苦苦打拼半生，到头来发现所有成就都不过是槐南一梦，不禁感慨万千。

He toiled for half his life, only to realize that all his achievements were but a dream south of the Sophora tree, filled with endless emotions.

Origin and Story of 槐南一梦

The idiom originates from a Tang Dynasty novel, 'The Governor of Nanke' (南柯太守传) by Li Gongzuo.

The story tells of a scholar named Chunyu Fen, who, after getting drunk under an old Sophora tree, fell asleep and dreamt.

In his dream, he saw a city gate with the inscription 'Great Huai'an Kingdom'. The King of Huai'an invited him to marry his princess and appointed him as the governor of Nanke Commandery for thirty years, during which he enjoyed immense wealth and honor.

Upon waking, he discovered an ant hole and tunnels under the Sophora tree, which corresponded to the Huai'an Kingdom and Nanke Commandery in his dream.

This vivid dream made him realize the transient nature of worldly glory and wealth.