凤毛麟角
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 and perseverance.
Also searched as: feng mao lin jiao, feng mao lin jiao,凤毛麟角 meaning, 凤毛麟角 in english
Extremely rare
Pronunciation: fèng máo lín jiǎo Literal meaning: Phoenix feather unicorn horn
Origin & Usage
A phoenix's (凤) feather (毛) and a qilin's (麟) horn (角). Neither animal is ordinarily to be met with at all, so the phrase names not scarcity but the parts of something that does not exist — a stronger claim than any comparison with rare real things. Both creatures were held to appear only under a sage ruler, which adds a note of the auspicious. Talent and opportunities both, and the tone is warm rather than merely quantitative.
Examples
English: "Such exceptional talent is extremely rare in the industry"
Chinese: 这样杰出的人才在行业中非常罕见
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about success & perseverance
龙飞凤舞
lóng fēi fèng wǔ
Dynamic elegance
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鹤立鸡群
hè lì jī qún
Stand out from crowd
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巧夺天工
qiǎo duó tiān gōng
Craftsmanship beyond natural limits
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破天荒
pò tiān huāng
For the first time ever; unprecedented
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风声鹤唳
fēng shēng hè lì
Overly fearful and suspicious
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羚羊挂角
líng yáng guà jiǎo
Artistry that leaves no trace
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坐井观天
zuò jǐng guān tiān
Judge with limited perspective
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鹤发童颜
hè fà tóng yán
Youthful despite old age
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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 the Success & 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”.