Chinese word

鹤立鸡群

Pronunciation

Pinyinhè lì jī qún

Meaning

  • idiomstand out from the crowd

Example

这幅画在展览上真是鹤立鸡群。zhè fú huà zài zhán lǎn shàng zhēn shì hè lì jī qún

This painting really stands out at the exhibition.

Illustration for 鹤立鸡群 (stand out from the crowd)

More examples

在众多候选人中，他一出现就显得鹤立鸡群。zài zhòng duō hòu xuǎn rén zhōng tā yì chū xiàn jiù xiǎn de hè lì jī qún

Among the many candidates, he seemed to stand out as soon as he appeared.

Core concept

A striking figure rises visually and figuratively above a surrounding group.

Common phrases

  • 在人群中鹤立鸡群zài rén qún zhōng hè lì jī qún

    stand out in a crowd

  • 显得鹤立鸡群xiǎn de hè lì jī qún

    seem to stand out

  • 在众人面前鹤立鸡群zài zhòng rén miàn qián hè lì jī qún

    stand out before everyone

Similar words

出类拔萃chū lèi bá cuì: Standing out within a group through outstanding talent, ability, or achievement.
独树一帜dú shù yí zhì: Using a distinctive approach or style that clearly differs from others and draws notice.
与众不同yǔ zhòng bù tóng: Having special features that make a person or thing clearly unlike most others.
卓尔不群zhuó ěr bù qún: Having remarkably high character or ability compared with ordinary people.

Definition in Chinese

用来比喻某人或某物在众人或同类中格外显眼，与周围形成鲜明对比，含有超过他人的意味。yòng lái bǐ yù mǒu rén huò mǒu wù zài zhòng rén huò tóng lèi zhōng gé wài xián yǎn yǔ zhōu wéi xíng chéng xiān míng duì bǐ hán yǒu chāo guò tā rén de yì wèi

Word origin

鹤 (hè, "crane") + 立 (lì, "stand") + 鸡 (jī, "chicken") + 群 (qún, "group") literally shows a crane standing among chickens, a vivid scene that represents exceptional distinction.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, the expression can describe a person, object, or work of art, so the subject need not be physically tall.

Other meanings

  • tower above the restidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word