凤毛麟角(鳳毛麟角)
凤毛麟角 (fèng máo lín jiǎo) literally means “phoenix feather unicorn horn”and expresses “extremely rare”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving success & perseverance.
Also searched as: feng mao lin jiao, feng mao lin jiao,凤毛麟角 meaning, 凤毛麟角 in english
Pronunciation: fèng máo lín jiǎo Literal meaning: Phoenix feather unicorn horn
Origin & Usage
Combining two of the most rare mythical elements - phoenix (凤) feathers (毛) and unicorn/qilin (麟) horns (角) - this idiom emerged from Han Dynasty imperial court documents describing exceptional talents or items of extraordinary rarity. The phoenix and qilin were considered divine creatures whose appearances heralded golden ages. The metaphor gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty when it was used to describe exceptional scholars and artists. In contemporary usage, it describes extremely rare talents, opportunities, or resources, often in professional recruitment or when discussing unique innovations.
When to Use
Situation: Such exceptional talent is extremely rare in the industry
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Related Chinese Idioms
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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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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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功成名就
gōng chéng míng jiù
Achieve success and fame
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名利双收
míng lì shuāng shōu
Gain both fame and fortune
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 凤毛麟角 mean in English?
凤毛麟角 (fèng máo lín jiǎo) literally translates to “Phoenix feather unicorn horn”and is used to express “Extremely rare”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theSuccess & Perseverance category..
When is 凤毛麟角 used?
Situation: Such exceptional talent is extremely rare in the industry
What is the pinyin for 凤毛麟角?
The pinyin pronunciation for 凤毛麟角 is “fèng máo lín jiǎo”.