CHENGYU
天衣无缝(tiān yī wú fèng)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary, approving
- Source:
- 前蜀·牛峤《灵怪录·郭翰》
MEANING
- Literal
- a heavenly robe without seams
- Figurative meaning
- flawless; so perfect no fault can be found
ORIGIN STORY
A Tang tale tells of Guo Han, who met a fairy from heaven. Looking at her robe, he could find no seam. She told him: "Heavenly clothes are not sewn with needle and thread."
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“watertight”
EXAMPLES
这个计划安排得天衣无缝。Zhège jìhuà ānpái de tiān yī wú fèng.HSK6
The plan is arranged with seamless perfection.
他的谎言天衣无缝，谁也没听出破绽。Tā de huǎngyán tiān yī wú fèng, shéi yě méi tīng chū pòzhàn.HSK6
His lie was seamless — no one caught a single flaw.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Note the reading: 缝 is fèng (seam). Used for plans, lies and works, rarely for real clothes.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01