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恍然大悟

huǎng rán dà wù

to see the light suddenly

Character by character

恍huǎng
suddenly
然rán
so
大dà
greatly
悟wù
realise

Example

听了他的解释,我才恍然大悟。
Only after his explanation did it finally click for me.

Tone: neutral.

Usage and origin

Usually with 才 or 这才, after whatever triggered the realisation.

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