- 沧海桑田 cānghǎisāngtián sea-to-landthe literal transformation of the blue sea into mulberry fields through geological change
- 曾经沧海 céngjīngcānghǎi experiencedhaving seen much of the world and undergone many life changes; widely experienced in the vicissitudes of life
- 沧海一粟 cānghǎiyīsù insignificancea drop in the ocean; something very small and minor in comparison to a vast whole
- 沧海遗珠 cānghǎiyízhū hidden gemundiscovered talent or a valuable item that has been overlooked
- 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