CHENGYU
鹤立鸡群(hè lì jī qún)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, approving
- Source:
- 南朝宋·刘义庆《世说新语·容止》
MEANING
- Literal
- a crane among chickens
- Figurative meaning
- to stand out conspicuously from the crowd
ORIGIN STORY
A visitor to the Jin court said of Ji Shao: "He stands among men like a wild crane in a flock of chickens." The phrase has praised striking superiority ever since.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to stand head and shoulders above the rest”
EXAMPLES
她的设计在展览中鹤立鸡群。Tā de shèjì zài zhǎnlǎn zhōng hè lì jī qún.HSK6
Her design stands like a crane among chickens at the exhibition.
他个子最高，站在队伍里鹤立鸡群。Tā gèzi zuì gāo, zhàn zài duìwu lǐ hè lì jī qún.HSK6
He is the tallest and stands out like a crane among chickens in the line.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It highlights outstanding difference — for better or worse, though usually approving.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01