开天辟地

Pronunciation: kāi tiān pì dì Literal meaning: Open sky split earth

Origin & Usage

The idiom 开天辟地 (kāi tiān pì dì) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe groundbreaking or pioneering achievements. The phrase literally translates to 'opening the sky and splitting the earth,' evoking the imagery of creation and new beginnings. While there is no specific historical story tied to this idiom, it is often associated with the mythological tale of Pangu, the primordial being who separated the sky from the earth to create the world. In this context, 开 (kāi) means 'open,' 天 (tiān) means 'sky,' 辟 (pì) means 'split,' and 地 (dì) means 'earth.' In modern usage, this idiom is used to describe significant innovations or monumental efforts that lead to new developments, emphasizing success and perseverance in overcoming challenges.

Examples

English: "The invention of the internet opened up a whole new world of possibilities."

Chinese: 他的研究开天辟地，改变了整个行业。