làn​kē

rotten axe handle

烂柯 爛柯 làn​kē
rotten axe handle
A literary allusion to a woodcutter who watched immortals play chess and returned home to find his axe handle rotten and a century passed; used to describe the profound changes in the world over time.
to play chess
(literary) To play or watch a game of chess; derived from the legend of the woodcutter watching immortals play chess.

Cross-References

See