CHENGYU
百里挑一(bǎi lǐ tiāo yī)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, approving
- Source:
- 清·曹雪芹《红楼梦》
MEANING
- Literal
- one chosen from a hundred
- Figurative meaning
- the pick of the bunch; one in a hundred
ORIGIN STORY
In Dream of the Red Chamber, a matchmaker praises a young man: "A little older, but never married — and as for his looks, one chosen from a hundred." The image is the single best among a crowd.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“one in a hundred”
EXAMPLES
她是百里挑一的好学生。Tā shì bǎi lǐ tiāo yī de hǎo xuésheng.HSK6
She is one student chosen from a hundred — the very best.
这份工作机会百里挑一，别错过。Zhè fèn gōngzuò jīhuì bǎi lǐ tiāo yī, bié cuòguò.HSK6
This job offer is one in a hundred — do not miss it.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It means the best of a large group — not "rare but ordinary".
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01