各领风骚

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: gè lǐng fēng sāo
• English Translation: Each leading the way in their own time
• Idiom Composition: 「各」（Each; every; respectively.）＋「领」（To lead; to guide; to be at the head of.）＋「风骚」（Literary excellence or distinctive style (originally referring to the 'Guofeng' section of the Book of Songs (诗经) and the poem 'Lisao' (离骚)).）
• Meaning: Refers to different individuals, styles, or entities taking the lead and showing their unique brilliance in their respective eras or fields. It suggests that no single thing dominates forever, and new talents or trends constantly emerge to take center stage.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「各领风骚」 contains the following nuances:

• The Succession of Talent: The idiom comes from the line '江山代有才人出，各领风骚数百年' (jiāng shān dài yǒu cái rén chū, gè lǐng fēng sāo shù bǎi nián), which suggests that every generation produces its own great talents who define their era. It reflects a philosophy that culture and history are constantly refreshed by new blood.
• Competition and Coexistence: In modern contexts, it is frequently used to describe a 'level playing field' where multiple entities are successful. Rather than one winner taking all, it implies that different players are excelling in their own specific niches or timeframes.

3. Usage

「各领风骚」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Market and Industry Analysis: Used to describe a situation where multiple competitors or brands each possess unique strengths and share the spotlight, or where new trendsetters emerge one after another.
  • Example:「在智能手机市场上，各大品牌推陈出新，各领风骚。」
    （In the smartphone market, major brands continue to innovate, with each leading the way with their own unique appeal.）
• Historical and Cultural Evolution: Used when discussing how different artistic styles or literary forms dominated different periods of history.
  • Example:「唐诗宋词元曲，在中国文学史上各领风骚。」
    （Tang poetry, Song lyrics, and Yuan opera each had their own era of brilliance in the history of Chinese literature.）

Additional Examples:

1. 这两家公司的产品各有千秋，在市场上各领风骚。
   （The products of these two companies each have their merits, and both are making their mark in the market.）
2. 时尚界的潮流变幻莫测，每种风格都只能各领风骚三五年。
   （Trends in the fashion world are unpredictable; any given style can only stay at the forefront for three to five years at most.）
3. 在这个多元化的时代，各种艺术形式百花齐放，各领风骚。
   （In this era of diversification, various art forms are flourishing like a hundred flowers in bloom, with each displaying its own unique charm.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The idiom originates from the poem 'On Poetry' (论诗) by the Qing Dynasty (清朝) poet Zhao Yi (赵翼). The full famous couplet is '江山代有才人出，各领风骚数百年,' meaning 'Great talents emerge in every generation, each leading the cultural trend for hundreds of years.'
• The term 风骚 (fēng sāo) is a literary portmanteau. 'Feng' (风) refers to the 'Guofeng' (国风) section of the Book of Songs (诗经), and 'Sao' (骚) refers to the poem 'Lisao' (离骚) by the ancient poet Qu Yuan (屈原). Together, they represent the highest standards of Chinese literature.
• While the word 风骚 (fēng sāo) can sometimes have a negative connotation in modern colloquial Chinese (meaning 'flirtatious' or 'showy'), in the context of this idiom, it strictly retains its classical meaning of 'literary talent' or 'distinguished style.'

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 独领风骚 (dú lǐng fēng sāo): To be the sole leader in a field; to dominate and outshine all others.
  • 各有所长 (gè yǒu suǒ cháng): Each has their own particular strengths or specialties.
  • 自成一家 (zì chéng yī jiā): To develop a unique style or school of one's own.link
  • 与众不同 (yǔ zhòng bù tóng): To be out of the ordinary or different from the rest.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 千篇一律 (qiān piān yī lǜ): Everything is the same; monotonous and lacking in variety or originality.link
  • 如出一辙 (rú chū yī zhé): Exactly alike; to be precisely the same.link

6. Summary

各领风骚 (gè lǐng fēng sāo) is an idiom used to describe how different figures or styles become the 'stars' of their specific time or domain. Originating from a Qing Dynasty poem, it highlights a dynamic view of history where excellence is not static. While 独领风骚 (dú lǐng fēng sāo) implies one person dominating alone, this phrase emphasizes the succession or coexistence of diverse talents, making it a popular choice for describing market competition or the evolution of cultural trends.