The meaning of "望洋兴叹" in English is "to sigh with emotion on seeing the vastness of the ocean". This idiom is often used to describe a feeling of powerlessness or helplessness when facing difficulties or challenges. It originated from the period when Zheng He, a famous Chinese explorer during the Ming Dynasty, sailed to the West and gazed upon the vastness of the Indian Ocean, feeling small and powerless. Therefore, "望洋兴叹" also contains a sense of awe and emotion towards nature and human history.