百里挑一
百里挑一 (bǎi lǐ tiāo yī) literally means “one in a hundred” and expresses “exceptional rarity”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: bai li tiao yi, bai li tiao yi,百里挑一 meaning, 百里挑一 in english
Exceptional rarity
Pronunciation: bǎi lǐ tiāo yī Literal meaning: One in a hundred
Origin & Usage
Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 百里挑一 (bǎi lǐ tiāo yī) paints a vivid picture of selecting one outstanding individual from a hundred (百, hundred) candidates. The phrase suggests a process of careful selection (挑, choose) to find a person who stands out as exceptional (一, one). It is often used to describe someone who is extraordinarily talented or distinguished. The idiom is famously used in the classic novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦) by Cao Xueqin, where characters are described as being '百里挑一' to emphasize their exceptional qualities. In modern contexts, it highlights the rarity and excellence of a person or achievement, akin to finding a needle in a haystack.
Examples
English: "Her talent is truly exceptional, standing out as one in a hundred in her field."
Chinese: 她的才华真是百里挑一。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
Learn more →
百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
Learn more →
水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
Learn more →
门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
Learn more →
天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
Learn more →
破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
Learn more →
守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
Learn more →
青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 百里挑一 mean in English?
百里挑一 (bǎi lǐ tiāo yī) literally translates to “One in a hundred” and is used to express “Exceptional rarity”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 百里挑一 used?
Situation: Her talent is truly exceptional, standing out as one in a hundred in her field.
What is the pinyin for 百里挑一?
The pinyin pronunciation for 百里挑一 is “bǎi lǐ tiāo yī”.