人去楼空 People gone, building empty
Explanation
形容房屋空空荡荡，人去楼空的景象，也比喻人离开后，地方变得冷清。
Describes an empty, deserted building, but also the desolation when people leave a place.
Origin Story
一位老秀才，年轻时在京城做官，因遭人陷害而辞官回乡。多年后，他故地重游，来到曾经繁华的府邸，只见门前杂草丛生，院内落叶飘零，朱红色的门窗已斑驳剥落，昔日热闹的景象早已不复存在，如今只剩下人去楼空的凄凉。他触景生情，不禁老泪纵横。他想起当年与同僚把酒言欢，指点江山的豪迈，如今物是人非，心中无限感慨。他独自一人坐在府邸的台阶上，回忆着往昔的点点滴滴，直到天色渐暗才默默离去，留下空荡荡的府邸在夕阳下显得更加凄凉。他明白，人生如梦，荣华富贵终将逝去，唯有珍惜当下才是最重要的。
An old scholar, who served as an official in the capital in his youth, resigned from office and returned to his hometown after being framed. Many years later, he revisited his old place and came to his former splendid residence. He saw only wild grass in front of the door, fallen leaves in the courtyard, and the vermilion doors and windows were worn and peeled. The once lively scene had vanished, and only the desolation of 'people gone, building empty' remained. He was greatly moved by this scene and began to weep bitterly. He remembered the drinking parties and ambitious plans with his colleagues back then, but now the times had changed, and his emotions were inexpressible. He sat alone on the steps of the residence, reminiscing about the past, until dusk fell and he quietly left, leaving the empty residence to appear even more desolate in the setting sun. He understood that life is like a dream, wealth and honor will eventually pass away, and that cherishing the present moment is the most important thing.
Usage
多用于描写人离开后，房屋空空荡荡的景象，也用来比喻人事变迁，物是人非的感慨。
Often used to describe the emptiness and desolation of a building after all its inhabitants have moved away. It can also express the transience of things and the passage of time.
Examples
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故人西辞黄鹤楼，烟波江上使人愁。空余黄鹤楼，人去楼空，令人唏嘘不已。
guren xici huanghe lou, yanbo jiang shang shi ren chou. kong yu huanghe lou, ren qu lou kong, ling ren xi xu bu yi.
The famous guest has left the Yellow Crane Tower, the misty waves on the river make people sad. Only the Yellow Crane Tower remains, empty and desolate, which makes one sigh deeply.
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昔日的繁华景象，如今人去楼空，只剩下一片萧瑟。
xir de fan hua jingxiang, ru jin ren qu lou kong, zhi sheng xia yi pian xiaose
The former prosperity is gone today, only silence remains.