史无前例

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: shǐ wú qián lì
• English Translation: Unprecedented (literally: 'no precedent in history')
• Idiom Composition: 「史」（History or historical records.）＋「无」（None, without, or does not exist.）＋「前」（Previous, past, or before.）＋「例」（Precedent, example, or case.）
• Meaning: Describes an event, achievement, or disaster that has never occurred before in recorded history. It emphasizes the unique and historic scale of the situation, indicating that there is no previous example to compare it to.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「史无前例」 contains the following nuances:

• Historical Scale: Unlike words that simply mean 'rare,' 史无前例 (shǐ wú qián lì) emphasizes that in the entire span of history, no similar event has been recorded.
• Neutrality and Context: The idiom itself is neutral. Its positive or negative connotation depends entirely on the subject it describes, such as a 'great success' or a 'major catastrophe.'

3. Usage

「史无前例」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Record-breaking achievements: Used in fields like sports, economics, or science to praise results that far surpass any previous records.
  • Example:「这部电影取得了史无前例的票房成功，打破了多项世界纪录。」
    （This movie achieved unprecedented box office success, breaking multiple world records.）
• Disasters or crises: Used to describe natural disasters or economic crises that are more severe than anything experienced in the past.
  • Example:「那场史无前例的洪水给当地居民带来了巨大的损失。」
    （That unprecedented flood caused immense damage to the local residents.）
• New attempts or reforms: Describes a new project or social change that has never been attempted before.
  • Example:「这是一次史无前例的尝试，虽然充满风险，但意义重大。」
    （This is an unprecedented attempt; although full of risks, its significance is profound.）

Additional Examples:

1. 随着科技的发展，人类正面临着史无前例的挑战。
   （With the development of technology, humanity is facing unprecedented challenges.）
2. 这次全球性的合作规模是史无前例的。
   （The scale of this global cooperation is unprecedented.）
3. 他在比赛中展现出了史无前例的统治力。
   （He demonstrated unprecedented dominance during the match.）
4. 这种病毒的传播速度简直是史无前例。
   （The speed at which this virus is spreading is simply unprecedented.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Tone and Frequency: This is a formal expression (written style) frequently used in news, journalism, and official speeches. Using it in casual daily conversation might sound slightly dramatic or hyperbolic.
• Historical Context: While its roots can be traced back to poetry from the Qing Dynasty (清朝), in modern Chinese, it has become a standard phrase for describing major political, social, or scientific milestones.
• Comparison with Similar Terms: It is nearly synonymous with 前所未有 (qián suǒ wèi yǒu), but by including the character 史 (shǐ) for 'history,' it places a stronger emphasis on the record-breaking or epoch-making nature of the event.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 前所未有 (qián suǒ wèi yǒu): Something that has never existed before.link
  • 空前绝后 (kōng qián jué hòu): Unprecedented and likely never to be repeated; unique in both the past and the future.
  • 前无古人 (qián wú gǔ rén): Unprecedented; no one before has done it.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 司空见惯 (sī kōng jiàn guàn): A common occurrence; something so frequent that it is no longer surprising.link
  • 屡见不鲜 (lǚ jiàn bù xiān): Nothing new; something seen so often that it has lost its novelty.
  • 不足为怪 (bù zú wéi guài): Not worth being surprised at.link

6. Summary

史无前例 (shǐ wú qián lì) is a formal idiom used to describe events of historic proportions. Whether referring to a groundbreaking scientific discovery or a catastrophic natural disaster, it highlights that the scale or nature of the event is entirely new to human history. It is commonly found in news reports, business presentations, and formal speeches to convey the gravity or significance of a situation.