如梦初醒 Awakening from a dream
Explanation
比喻过去一直糊涂，在别人或事实的启发下，刚刚明白过来。
It is a metaphor for someone who was confused in the past and only now, with the enlightenment of others or facts, understands things.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个书生名叫李白，自幼聪颖好学，却因家境贫寒，无法求学深造。他常常夜里梦想着有一天能够金榜题名，光宗耀祖，却常常被现实的残酷打破，只能对着月光饮酒作乐，消磨时光。直到有一天，他偶然间读到一篇关于科举考试的文章，里面讲述了无数寒门子弟通过自身的努力，最终鲤鱼跃龙门的故事，他如梦初醒，意识到自己并非没有机会，只要坚持不懈，同样可以改变命运。于是，他开始发奋苦读，终于在几十年后考中进士，实现了他的梦想。
It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, there was a scholar named Li Bai who was intelligent and studious from a young age, but due to his poverty, he could not pursue further education. He often dreamed at night of one day succeeding in the imperial examination and bringing glory to his ancestors, but the harsh reality often shattered his dreams, and he could only drink and make merry in the moonlight, wasting his time. Until one day, he accidentally read an article about the imperial examination, which told stories of countless children from poor families who, through their own efforts, eventually succeeded. He woke up as if from a dream, realizing that he did not lack opportunities, and that as long as he persevered, he could also change his destiny. So, he began to study hard and finally passed the imperial examination after decades, achieving his dream.
Usage
用于形容人突然醒悟，明白过来。
Used to describe someone suddenly realizing something or understanding something.
Examples
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听了专家的讲解，他如梦初醒，终于明白了问题的关键。
ting le zhuanjia de jianjie, ta rumeng chuxing, zhongyu mingbai le wenti de guangjian.
After listening to the expert's explanation, he woke up as if from a dream and finally understood the key to the problem.
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看完那部纪录片，她如梦初醒，意识到环境保护的重要性。
kan wan na bu jilupian, ta rumeng chuxing, yishile huanjing baohu de zhongyaoxing.
After watching the documentary, she woke up as if from a dream and realized the importance of environmental protection.