每天成语
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略胜一筹

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: lüè xùn yī chóu
  • English Translation: Slightly better / A cut above (one tally ahead)
  • Idiom Composition: 「略」（Slightly or briefly (as in 略微 - lüè wēi)）＋「胜」（To surpass, excel, or win）＋「一」（One）＋「筹」（A tally or counting stick used in ancient China for calculations or keeping score in games）
  • Meaning: To be slightly superior to another when comparing two things. It refers to a state where one side is better by a narrow margin rather than an overwhelming difference, typically used as a positive evaluation of ability, skill, strategy, or quality.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「略胜一筹」 contains the following nuances:

  • The Original Meaning of 'Chou' (筹): 筹 (chóu) refers to the bamboo sticks used for calculation or scoring in ancient games. Having 'one more tally' (一筹 - yī chóu) visually represents winning by a very small margin.
  • Emphasis on a Narrow Margin: As indicated by the word 略 (lüè), which means 'slightly,' this idiom emphasizes a small difference between two closely matched sides. It is not used when there is a massive gap in ability.

3. Usage

「略胜一筹」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Comparison of Skills or Ability: Used in sports, games, or professional skills to objectively or modestly state that one's skill is slightly higher than a rival's.
    • Example:「虽然两队的实力都很强，但主队在配合上略胜一筹。」
      （Although both teams are very strong, the home team is a cut above in terms of coordination.）
  • Evaluation of Strategies or Plans: Commonly used in business or debates to compare multiple proposals and judge which one is more effective.
    • Example:「经过激烈的讨论，大家认为方案B在成本控制方面略胜一筹。」
      （After intense discussion, everyone agreed that Plan B was slightly better regarding cost control.）
  • Comparison of Products or Quality: Useful for reviewing similar products to point out where one excels in a specific feature or design.
    • Example:「这两款手机性能差不多，但在拍照效果上，新款略胜一筹。」
      （These two smartphones have similar performance, but the new model is slightly superior in photo quality.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 论口才，他确实比对手略胜一筹。
    （In terms of eloquence, he is indeed a notch higher than his opponent.）
  2. 这家餐厅的服务虽然不错，但隔壁那家的味道略胜一筹。
    （The service at this restaurant is good, but the neighbor's place is slightly better when it comes to taste.）
  3. 在处理突发事件的能力上，老员工显然略胜一筹。
    （In terms of handling emergencies, veteran employees clearly have a slight edge.）
  4. 这次比赛竞争非常激烈，冠军仅以微弱优势略胜一筹。
    （The competition was very intense, and the champion won by a narrow margin.）
  5. 虽然他是新手，但在创意方面却比很多前辈略胜一筹。
    （Although he is a newcomer, he is slightly superior to many seniors in terms of creativity.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Origin: The term 筹 (chóu) refers to ancient Chinese counting sticks or tallies used to keep score during drinking games like Pitch-pot (投壶 - tóu hú). Winning by 'one tally' implies a very close victory.
  • Nuance: While similar to 技高一筹 (jì gāo yī chóu), which focuses specifically on skills, 略胜一筹 (lüè shèng yī chóu) is more versatile and can describe quality, strategy, or overall situations.
  • Literary Source: It appears in the Qing Dynasty (清朝) short story collection Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (聊斋志异 - Liáozhāi Zhìyì) by Pu Songling (蒲松龄) in the story 'Xin Shisi Niang' (辛十四娘).

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

略胜一筹 (lüè shèng yī chóu) is an idiom used to describe one party being "slightly superior" when comparing two entities. Originating from the use of ancient counting sticks or tallies (筹 - chóu), it is ideal for describing situations where the competition is close, but one side has a slight edge. It is widely used in business, sports, and product comparisons.

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