鬼斧神工
鬼斧神工 (guǐ fǔ shén gōng) literally means “ghostly axe, divine work” and expresses “supernatural craftsmanship”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: gui fu shen gong, gui fu shen gong,鬼斧神工 meaning, 鬼斧神工 in english
Supernatural craftsmanship
Pronunciation: guǐ fǔ shén gōng Literal meaning: Ghostly axe, divine work
Origin & Usage
The idiom 鬼斧神工 (guǐ fǔ shén gōng) originates from the classical Chinese text 《庄子·达生》, attributed to the philosopher Zhuangzi during the Warring States period. The story features a master woodworker named 梓庆 (Ziqing), who crafted a wooden stand (鐻, jù) so exquisite that it seemed to be the work of supernatural forces. When the Duke of Lu marveled at the craftsmanship and asked if Ziqing used magic, he replied that his skill came from deep concentration and harmony with nature. The characters 鬼 (guǐ, ghost), 斧 (fǔ, axe), 神 (shén, spirit), and 工 (gōng, work) evoke the image of craftsmanship so refined it appears divine. Today, this idiom describes human creations of extraordinary skill and artistry, often in architecture or sculpture, that seem beyond human capability.
Examples
English: "The artist's work was so exquisite that it seemed crafted by supernatural hands."
Chinese: 这位艺术家的作品鬼斧神工，令人叹为观止。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鬼斧神工 mean in English?
鬼斧神工 (guǐ fǔ shén gōng) literally translates to “Ghostly axe, divine work” and is used to express “Supernatural craftsmanship”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 鬼斧神工 used?
Situation: The artist's work was so exquisite that it seemed crafted by supernatural hands.
What is the pinyin for 鬼斧神工?
The pinyin pronunciation for 鬼斧神工 is “guǐ fǔ shén gōng”.