大江东去 The great river flows east
Explanation
长江水奔流向东，比喻时间流逝，历史向前发展，不可逆转。也常用作词牌名。
The Yangtze River flows eastward, a metaphor for the passage of time and the unstoppable progress of history. Also used as a name for a type of Chinese poem.
Origin Story
滚滚长江，奔腾不息，从西向东，奔流入海。多少朝代兴衰更迭，多少英雄豪杰，都如同江水中的浪花，最终被历史的长河冲刷而去，成为过眼云烟。这便是大江东去，浪淘尽千古风流人物的写照。唐太宗李世民雄才大略，统一全国，然而他的江山，也终将被后世所取代；秦始皇统一六国，建立了中央集权的帝国，但他的暴政，也最终导致了秦朝的灭亡。而这滚滚东去的江水，却依然奔流不息，见证着历史的变迁。大江东去，不仅仅是自然现象，更是历史的象征，它告诉我们，任何事物都在发展变化，历史的车轮永不停息地向前滚动。
The mighty Yangtze River, rushing endlessly from west to east, flows into the sea. Countless dynasties have risen and fallen, countless heroes and great figures, just like the waves in the river, have eventually been washed away by the long river of history, becoming fleeting visions. This is the portrayal of the Yangtze River flowing eastward, its waves washing away all the heroes of the ages. Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, known for his great talent and unification of the country, also had his reign replaced by subsequent dynasties. Qin Shi Huang, who unified the six states and established a centralized empire, also eventually saw the downfall of his dynasty because of his tyrannical rule. But the mighty river flowing east remains, witnessing the changes of history. The Yangtze River flowing east is not only a natural phenomenon, but also a symbol of history. It teaches us that everything is constantly developing and changing, that the wheel of history never stops rolling forward.
Usage
常用来比喻历史的向前发展，时间的流逝，以及不可逆转的事实。
Often used to metaphorically describe the forward progress of history, the passage of time, and irreversible facts.
Examples
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滚滚长江东逝水，浪花淘尽英雄。
gǔngǔn chángjiāng dōngshì shuǐ, lànghuā táo jǐn yīngxióng.
The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward, its waves washing away all heroes.
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历史的车轮滚滚向前，大江东去，不可阻挡。
lìshǐ de chēlún gǔngǔn xiàng qián, dàjiāng dōng qù, bùkě zǔdǎng
The wheel of history rolls forward, the great river flows eastward, unstoppable.