庖丁解牛
庖丁解牛 (páo dīng jiě niú) literally means “chef ding butchers ox” and expresses “effortless skill through perfect practice”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving mastery and skill. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: pao ding jie niu, pao ding jie niu,庖丁解牛 meaning, 庖丁解牛 in english
Effortless skill through perfect practice
Pronunciation: páo dīng jiě niú
Literal meaning: Chef Ding butchers ox
Origin & Usage
This idiom comes from Zhuangzi's famous 4th century BCE parable about Cook Ding (庖丁) skillfully butchering an ox (解牛). The story tells of him explaining to his lord how decades of practice led him beyond mere visual guidance to intuitive mastery. During the Han Dynasty, the tale became a standard metaphor for administrative skill. The image of the blade finding natural spaces between bones resonated particularly in Chinese culture, where meat preparation was both vital and technically demanding. Modern usage describes the highest levels of skill in any domain, where expertise becomes so internalized it appears effortless.
When to Use
Situation: After thirty years of practice, the surgeon performed complex operations with effortless precision
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 庖丁解牛 mean in English?
庖丁解牛 (páo dīng jiě niú) literally translates to “Chef Ding butchers ox” and is used to express “Effortless skill through perfect practice”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Mastery & Skill category.
When is 庖丁解牛 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving effortless skill through perfect practice.
What is the pinyin for 庖丁解牛?
The pinyin pronunciation for 庖丁解牛 is “páo dīng jiě niú”.