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出神入化 (chū shén rù huà) — to reach the acme of perfection; to be in a state of superb mastery (of a skill)

Definition

Idiom praising someone's skill as reaching an almost magical, transcendent level. Used for art, music, calligraphy, or any craft performed so perfectly it seems beyond ordinary ability.

idiom
to reach the acme of perfectionto be in a state of superb mastery (of a skill)

Examples

  • 出神入化。
    Tā de shū fǎ yǐ jīng dá dào le chū shén rù huà de jìng jiè.
    His calligraphy has reached the acme of perfection.
  • 出神入化，。
    Zhè wèi gāng qín jiā de yǎn zòu chū shén rù huà, lìng rén táo zuì.
    This pianist's performance is so superb that it mesmerizes the audience.
  • 出神入化，。
    Tā de wǔ zī chū shén rù huà, guān zhòng kàn dé mù dèng kǒu dāi.
    Her dance moves are so perfect that the audience is left speechless.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

出 combines 止 (foot) and 凵 (cave) to show a foot stepping out of a cave.

Open 出 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

入 is drawn as an arrowhead, indicating 'to enter'.

Open 入 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesSuccess & Failure

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