出人头地
出人头地 (chū rén tóu dì) literally means “stand out above others” and expresses “achieve outstanding success”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance.
Also searched as: chu ren tou di, chu ren tou di,出人头地 meaning, 出人头地 in english
Achieve outstanding success
Pronunciation: chū rén tóu dì Literal meaning: Stand out above others
Origin & Usage
The idiom 出人头地 (chū rén tóu dì) originates from a letter by the Song dynasty scholar Ouyang Xiu (欧阳修) in which he praised the young talent Su Shi (苏轼). Ouyang Xiu remarked that he should 'make way for Su Shi to surpass him' (放他出一头地也). The idiom literally means 'to stand out above others' (出, emerge; 人, people; 头, head; 地, place). It describes achieving outstanding success or surpassing others through talent and perseverance. In modern usage, it is often used to commend individuals who have risen above their peers through hard work and dedication.
Examples
English: "With her innovative ideas, she truly stands out from the crowd."
Chinese: 凭借她的创新想法，她出人头地。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
一鸣惊人
yī míng jīng rén
Sudden, remarkable success
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百折不挠
bǎi zhé bù náo
Unshakeable despite adversity
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水滴石穿
shuǐ dī shí chuān
Persistence achieves anything
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门庭若市
mén tíng ruò shì
Extremely popular
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天道酬勤
tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven rewards diligence
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破釜沉舟
pò fǔ chén zhōu
Commit with no retreat
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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青出于蓝
qīng chū yú lán
Student surpasses master
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 出人头地 mean in English?
出人头地 (chū rén tóu dì) literally translates to “Stand out above others” and is used to express “Achieve outstanding success”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 出人头地 used?
Situation: With her innovative ideas, she truly stands out from the crowd.
What is the pinyin for 出人头地?
The pinyin pronunciation for 出人头地 is “chū rén tóu dì”.