登峰造极
登峰造极 (dēng fēng zào jí) literally means “climb peak reach limit” and expresses “reach highest attainable level”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: deng feng zao ji, deng feng zao ji,登峰造极 meaning, 登峰造极 in english
Reach highest attainable level
Pronunciation: dēng fēng zào jí
Literal meaning: Climb peak reach limit
Origin & Usage
This expression describes climbing (登) to the mountain peak (峰) and reaching (造) the ultimate limit (极), originating from Daoist geographical texts of the Han Dynasty. It first described pilgrimages to sacred mountains believed to connect heaven and earth. During the Tang Dynasty, it evolved beyond literal mountain climbing to represent the pursuit of perfection in any discipline. The imagery draws from China's five sacred mountains, whose summits were considered the highest achievements for both religious devotees and travelers. Contemporary usage celebrates those who have mastered their fields to the highest possible degree, suggesting both the difficulty of the journey and the rarified atmosphere of ultimate achievement.
Examples
English: "The dancer's perfect performance represented the pinnacle of the art form"
Chinese: 舞者的完美表演代表了这种艺术形式的巅峰
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 登峰造极 mean in English?
登峰造极 (dēng fēng zào jí) literally translates to “Climb peak reach limit” and is used to express “Reach highest attainable level”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 登峰造极 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving reach highest attainable level.
What is the pinyin for 登峰造极?
The pinyin pronunciation for 登峰造极 is “dēng fēng zào jí”.