霸王别姬 Farewell My Concubine
Explanation
"霸王别姬"指的是西楚霸王项羽与虞姬的诀别场景。项羽兵败乌江，自知大势已去，与虞姬诀别，随后自刎而死。这个成语常用来形容英雄末路的悲壮景象，也暗指个人独断专行，脱离群众最终失败的结局。
"Farewell My Concubine" refers to the farewell scene between Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, and his favorite concubine Yu Ji. After Xiang Yu lost the battle at the Wu River, he knew the situation was hopeless, bid farewell to Yu Ji, and then committed suicide. This idiom often describes the tragic downfall of a hero, and it also implies the ultimate failure of an individual who acts autocratically and is isolated from the masses.
Origin Story
楚汉相争之际，西楚霸王项羽力战多年，最终兵败乌江。他孤身一人，被汉军重重包围。面对四面楚歌，项羽悲愤交加，想起自己曾经的辉煌战绩和如今的落魄境地，不禁悲从中来。这时，他的爱姬虞姬为他翩翩起舞，舞姿柔美，歌声凄婉，那是对项羽最后的诀别。项羽在虞姬的歌声中，体会到人生的无常和英雄迟暮的悲凉，最终拔剑自刎，结束了自己辉煌而短暂的一生。虞姬也随之殉情。
During the Chu-Han contention, Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, fought for many years, but finally lost the battle at the Wu River. He was alone and surrounded by Han troops. Facing the songs of the four sides, Xiang Yu was full of sorrow and anger. Thinking of his past glorious military achievements and his current impoverished situation, he couldn't help feeling sad. At this time, his beloved concubine Yu Ji danced gracefully for him. Her dance was gentle and her song was mournful; it was her last farewell to Xiang Yu. In Yu Ji's song, Xiang Yu realized the impermanence of life and the sadness of a hero's old age. Finally, he committed suicide, ending his glorious but short life. Yu Ji also killed herself.
Usage
常用作宾语、定语，形容英雄末路或悲壮的场面，也用来比喻独断专行、脱离群众的结局。
Often used as an object and attributive, it describes the tragic situation of a hero at the end of his life, or the situation of someone who acts autocratically and is isolated from the masses.
Examples
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霸王别姬的故事，令人唏嘘不已。
bàwáng bié jī de gùshì, lìng rén xī xū bù yǐ; xiàng yǔ de shībài, shì bàwáng bié jī de bēijù jiéjú
The story of Farewell My Concubine is very sad.
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项羽的失败，是霸王别姬的悲剧结局。
Xiang Yu's failure is the tragic end of Farewell My Concubine.