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鹤立鸡群

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

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1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: hè lì jī qún
  • English Translation: A crane standing among chickens (standing out from the crowd)
  • Idiom Composition: 「鹤」（Crane; a symbol of elegance and nobility.）＋「立」（To stand.）＋「鸡」（Chicken; here used as a metaphor for ordinary or mediocre people.）＋「群」（Group or flock.）
  • Meaning: A metaphor describing a person whose appearance or talent is far superior to those around them, making them stand out like a majestic crane in a flock of ordinary chickens.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「鹤立鸡群」 contains the following nuances:

  • Visual Prominence: Originally, the phrase referred to physical height or beauty that caught the eye, but in modern usage, it is widely applied to intellectual or professional excellence.
  • Contrast with Surroundings: The idiom relies on the premise that the surroundings are 'ordinary' (the chickens). Because of this, it can sometimes imply a disparaging view of the group, so one should be mindful of the social context when using it.

3. Usage

「鹤立鸡群」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Physical Appearance and Style: Used to describe someone who is tall, elegant, or has a fashion sense that makes them immediately noticeable in a crowd.
    • Example:「她在人群中身材高挑，气质优雅，简直是鹤立鸡群。」
      （She is tall and elegant in the crowd, truly standing out like a crane among chickens.）
  • Evaluation of Ability or Talent: Used in workplaces or schools to refer to someone whose skills or achievements are incomparable to their peers.
    • Example:「这位选手的技术在所有参赛者中鹤立鸡群，毫无悬念地拿下了冠军。」
      （This player's skills stood out from the rest of the participants, and he won the championship without any suspense.）
  • Metaphor for Inanimate Objects: Can be applied to buildings or products that are clearly superior in quality or appearance compared to their surroundings.
    • Example:「在一片低矮的平房中，那座高楼显得鹤立鸡群。」
      （Among the low-rise houses, that skyscraper towered above the rest.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 他的英语水平在班上鹤立鸡群，老师经常让他做示范。
    （His English level is head and shoulders above the rest of the class, so the teacher often asks him to give demonstrations.）
  2. 虽然大家都很努力，但他的创意方案依然鹤立鸡群。
    （Although everyone worked hard, his creative proposal was still the most outstanding.）
  3. 要想在竞争激烈的市场中鹤立鸡群，必须有独特的核心技术。
    （To stand out from the crowd in a highly competitive market, one must have unique core technology.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Origin: This idiom comes from the 'Appearance and Manner' (容止) chapter of A New Account of the Tales of the World (世说新语). It describes Ji Shao (嵇绍), the son of Ji Kang (嵇康)—one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (竹林七贤)—who was said to look like a 'wild crane among chickens' because of his dignified presence in a crowd.
  • Nuance Warning: While it is a powerful compliment, be careful using it in front of a group. Praising one person as a 'crane' effectively labels everyone else present as 'chickens,' which might cause offense to colleagues or friends.
  • Comparison with Similar Idioms: While 出类拔萃 (chū lèi bá cuì) also means to excel, it literally means 'to rise above one's own kind.' It is a safer, more neutral way to say someone is the best without the potentially insulting 'chicken' comparison found in 鹤立鸡群 (hè lì jī qún).

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

The idiom 鹤立鸡群 (hè lì jī qún) is used to describe an individual who is exceptionally outstanding in a group of ordinary people. While it is a high compliment for one's appearance or ability, it carries a subtle contrast by implying that the surrounding people are mediocre, much like comparing a crane to common chickens.

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