- 望洋兴叹 wàngyángxīngtàn to feel smallto feel small and insignificant when confronted with the greatness of others or something vast
- 望而兴叹 wàng'érxīngtàn to sigh at the sight of somethingto sigh in dismay, helplessness, or admiration when looking at something that is beyond one's reach or power
- 仰屋兴叹 yǎngwūxīngtàn to find no way outto stare at the ceiling and sigh in despair; to be at the end of one's wits with no solution to a problem