cin4 can4 wong5 si6前塵往事前尘往事

Jyutpingcin4 can4 wong5 si6

Yalechìhn chàhn wóhng sih

名詞

Definition

Things that happened in the past; past memories or events.

writtentimeemotion

How it's used

This idiom carries a poetic and slightly melancholic tone, often used to reflect on memories that have faded or are best left forgotten. It is far more evocative than simply saying 過去 or 舊事, as it implies the passage of time has turned those events into something as intangible as dust. You will frequently encounter it in song lyrics, romantic literature, or when someone is reminiscing about a long-lost period of their life.

Examples

cin4前can4塵wong5往si6事dou1都gwo3過heoi3去zo2咗，m4唔hou2好zoi3再nam2諗laa1啦。

The past is behind us, don't think about it anymore.

nei5你zung6仲gei3記m4唔gei3記dak1得di1啲cin4前can4塵wong5往si6事aa4呀？

Do you still remember those things from the past?

Common phrases

cin4前can4塵wong5往si6事jyu4如jin1煙

the past is like smoke

wui4回sau2首cin4前can4塵wong5往si6事

looking back on the past

Common mistake

Avoid using this in casual, everyday conversation about mundane events like what you ate for lunch yesterday. It is reserved for significant, sentimental, or emotionally heavy memories.