鹤立鸡群
鹤立鸡群 (hè lì jī qún) literally means “crane stands among chickens” and expresses “stand out from crowd”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: he li ji qun, he li ji qun,鹤立鸡群 meaning, 鹤立鸡群 in english
Stand out from crowd
Pronunciation: hè lì jī qún
Literal meaning: Crane stands among chickens
Origin & Usage
Han Dynasty observers first used this image of a crane standing (鹤立) among chickens (鸡群) to describe natural nobility amid the common. Unlike artificial status, it described innate distinction that becomes immediately apparent through contrast. Modern usage celebrates those whose natural excellence requires no advertisement.
Examples
English: "Her innovative solution distinguished her from conventional thinkers"
Chinese: 她的创新解决方案使她从传统思维者中脱颖而出
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
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独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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别具一格
bié jù yī gé
Have unique style; be distinctive
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独树一帜
dú shù yī zhì
Be unique; have distinctive style
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独占鳌头
dú zhàn áo tóu
Come first; win top honors
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出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
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炉火纯青
lú huǒ chún qīng
Reach perfection; master completely
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无懈可击
wú xiè kě jī
Flawless; invulnerable to criticism
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鹤立鸡群 mean in English?
鹤立鸡群 (hè lì jī qún) literally translates to “Crane stands among chickens” and is used to express “Stand out from crowd”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 鹤立鸡群 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving stand out from crowd.
What is the pinyin for 鹤立鸡群?
The pinyin pronunciation for 鹤立鸡群 is “hè lì jī qún”.