- 曾经沧海 céngjīngcānghǎi experiencedhaving seen much of the world and undergone many life changes; widely experienced in the vicissitudes of life
- 曾经沧海难为水,除却巫山不是云 céngjīngcānghǎinánwéishuǐ, chúquè Wū Shānbùshìyún high standardsone who has seen the world or reached a high level of expertise is no longer impressed by trivialities or mediocre things