望尘莫及 (wàng chén mò jí) — far behind, cannot compare, too inferior; too late to catch up

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning 'far behind, cannot catch up' — the gap is so large that even seeing the dust of the leader is hopeless. Used in writing, not everyday speech.

idiom
far behindcannot comparetoo inferiortoo late to catch up

Examples

  • ，望尘莫及。
    Tā de shuǐ píng tài gāo le, wǒ wàng chén mò jí.
    His skill level is too high; I can't compare.
  • ，望尘莫及。
    Zài zhè fāng miàn, wǒ guó de kē jì hái wàng chén mò jí fā dá guó jiā.
    In this area, our country's technology still lags far behind developed nations.
  • ，望尘莫及。
    Jī huì yǐ jīng cuò guò le, xiàn zài hòu huǐ yě wàng chén mò jí.
    The opportunity has passed; it's too late to regret it now.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

  • 臣臣chéneye
  • 𡈼𡈼𡈼person standing on the ground

望 originally showed 臣 (eye) beside 𡈼 (person standing on the ground): a person standing up and looking off into the distance. Later 月 was added, and the 臣 part became 亡.

Open 望 →

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

In 尘, 小 (small) sits above 土 (earth), giving the idea of tiny bits of earth.

Open 尘 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 莫 shows a sun sinking into bushes, meaning dusk.

Open 莫 →

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

及 pairs 人 (person) with 又 (hand), showing a hand grabbing a person.

Open 及 →

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