破天荒
破天荒 (pò tiān huāng) literally means “breaking heaven's wasteland” and expresses “for the first time ever; unprecedented”. 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: po tian huang, po tian huang,破天荒 meaning, 破天荒 in english
For the first time ever; unprecedented
Pronunciation: pò tiān huāng
Literal meaning: Breaking heaven's wasteland
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes breaking (破) through heaven's (天) wasteland (荒). It originates from Tang Dynasty examination history when the Jingzhou region, long considered intellectually barren, finally produced a successful examination candidate, 'breaking' its record of failure. The phrase marks unprecedented first achievements. Modern usage describes doing something for the very first time, particularly achievements that break established patterns or expectations.
Examples
English: "For the first time ever, she won the championship."
Chinese: 她破天荒地赢得了冠军。
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Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
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dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
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Have unique style; be distinctive
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Be unique; have distinctive style
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Come first; win top honors
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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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Flawless; invulnerable to criticism
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 破天荒 mean in English?
破天荒 (pò tiān huāng) literally translates to “Breaking heaven's wasteland” and is used to express “For the first time ever; unprecedented”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 破天荒 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving for the first time ever; unprecedented.
What is the pinyin for 破天荒?
The pinyin pronunciation for 破天荒 is “pò tiān huāng”.