CHENGYU
才高八斗(cái gāo bā dǒu)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary, approving
- Source:
- 《南史·谢灵运传》
MEANING
- Literal
- talent worth eight bushels
- Figurative meaning
- brilliant literary or intellectual talent
ORIGIN STORY
The poet Xie Lingyun claimed that of all the talent under heaven, one bushel belonged to the ancient sages and the rest of humanity combined — while Cao Zhi alone held eight bushels. The phrase became the highest praise of talent.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“a towering talent”
EXAMPLES
这位作家才高八斗，写了许多名著。Zhè wèi zuòjiā cái gāo bā dǒu, xiě le xǔduō míngzhù.HSK6
This writer, a talent of eight bushels, produced many masterpieces.
他谦虚地说自己才疏学浅，其实才高八斗。Tā qiānxū de shuō zìjǐ cái shū xué qiǎn, qíshí cái gāo bā dǒu.HSK6
He modestly calls himself shallow, when in fact his talent fills eight bushels.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Note the reading: 斗 is dǒu (a measure), not dòu (to fight).
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Tap a character to explore it
TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01