天涯海角
天涯海角 (tiān yá hǎi jiǎo) literally means “sky's edge, sea's corner” and expresses “distant separation”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: tian ya hai jiao, tian ya hai jiao,天涯海角 meaning, 天涯海角 in english
Distant separation
Pronunciation: tiān yá hǎi jiǎo Literal meaning: Sky's edge, sea's corner
Origin & Usage
The edge (涯) of the sky and the corner (角) of the sea. Han Yu's lament for his dead nephew has the source of the sentiment — one of us at heaven's edge, one at earth's corner — and the phrase names the farthest place there is. Two uses dominate: separation, where it measures how far apart people are, and commitment, in promises to follow someone anywhere. There is also a real cape on Hainan called 天涯海角, which is where Chinese tourists go to stand at the end of the world.
Examples
English: "They traveled to the farthest reaches of the world in search of adventure."
Chinese: 他们走遍天涯海角，寻找冒险。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
学海无涯
xué hǎi wú yá
Learning is limitless
Learn more →
海阔天空
hǎi kuò tiān kōng
Unbounded scope; or talk that rambles everywhere
Learn more →
羚羊挂角
líng yáng guà jiǎo
Artistry that leaves no trace
Learn more →
凤毛麟角
fèng máo lín jiǎo
Extremely rare
Learn more →
拐弯抹角
guǎi wān mò jiǎo
Speak or act in deliberately indirect manner
Learn more →
瞒天过海
mán tiān guò hǎi
Disguise true intentions
Learn more →
四海为家
sì hǎi wéi jiā
At home anywhere
Learn more →
人山人海
rén shān rén hǎi
Vast crowds of people
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 天涯海角 mean in English?
天涯海角 (tiān yá hǎi jiǎo) literally translates to “Sky's edge, sea's corner” and is used to express “Distant separation”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 天涯海角 used?
Situation: They traveled to the farthest reaches of the world in search of adventure.
What is the pinyin for 天涯海角?
The pinyin pronunciation for 天涯海角 is “tiān yá hǎi jiǎo”.