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
One (一) picked (挑) out of a hundred (百里). 里 here reads as a measure of the pool rather than a distance. The phrase is a claim about ratio and, unlike most Chinese superlatives, it names a number that is high but not absurd — one in a hundred, not one in ten thousand. That keeps it usable. The Dream of the Red Chamber applies it to people, and it remains most natural about a person rather than a thing, particularly a prospective spouse or a hire.
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
表里如一
biǎo lǐ rú yī
Be consistent inside and out
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一呼百应
yī hū bǎi yìng
Influential leadership
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鹏程万里
péng chéng wàn lǐ
May your future be boundless
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杀一儆百
shā yī jǐng bǎi
Punish to deter others
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笑里藏刀
xiào lǐ cáng dāo
Hide malice behind smile
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鞭辟入里
biān pì rù lǐ
Penetrating deeply to the essence
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千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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不远千里
bù yuǎn qiān lǐ
Willingly travel far; make great efforts
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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”.