寥若晨星
寥若晨星 (liáo ruò chén xīng) literally means “sparse as morning stars” and expresses “very rare”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: liao ruo chen xing, liao ruo chen xing,寥若晨星 meaning, 寥若晨星 in english
Very rare
Pronunciation: liáo ruò chén xīng
Literal meaning: Sparse as morning stars
Origin & Usage
A Tang Dynasty poetic description comparing rarity to morning (晨) stars (星) remaining visible (寥若) at dawn. Popular in classical poetry, it captured the ethereal quality of exceptional talents or opportunities. The metaphor was particularly meaningful in ancient astronomical observations, where morning stars were considered special omens. Court historians used it to describe rare individuals of extraordinary character or ability. Contemporary usage often refers to exceptional achievements or unique individuals in various fields, suggesting both rarity and brilliance. It emphasizes quality over quantity while maintaining a sense of natural beauty.
Examples
English: "True experts in this emerging technology are as rare as morning stars"
Chinese: 这个新兴技术领域的真正专家寥若晨星
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
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jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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旗开得胜
qí kāi dé shèng
Win at the very start; immediate success
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战无不胜
zhàn wú bù shèng
Win every battle; be undefeated
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攻无不克
gōng wú bù kè
Win every battle; never fail in attacks
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千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 寥若晨星 mean in English?
寥若晨星 (liáo ruò chén xīng) literally translates to “Sparse as morning stars” and is used to express “Very rare”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 寥若晨星 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving very rare.
What is the pinyin for 寥若晨星?
The pinyin pronunciation for 寥若晨星 is “liáo ruò chén xīng”.