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至高无上 (zhì gāo wú shàng) — supreme, paramount

Definition

A formal idiom meaning 'supreme, above all else' — emphasizes absolute, unchallengeable authority or status. Stronger than 最高, which simply marks the top of a scale.

idiom
supremeparamount

Examples

  • 至高无上。
    Huáng dì de dì wèi shì zhì gāo wú shàng de.
    The emperor's status was paramount.
  • ，至高无上。
    Zài jūn duì lǐ, fú cóng mìng lìng shì zhì gāo wú shàng de yuán zé.
    In the military, obeying orders is the supreme principle.
  • 至高无上。
    Zhè ge guó jiā bǎ guó jiā lì yì shì wéi zhì gāo wú shàng mù biāo.
    This country regards national interests as the paramount goal.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

至 is drawn as an arrow stuck into the ground.

Open 至 →

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

高 was drawn as a tall building.

Open 高 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 無; 无 is its simplified writing.

For the simplified 无, the story is about 無. 無 drew a person dancing with ox tails held in both hands to pray for rain, then was borrowed for 'have no', so the picture does not explain that meaning.

Open 无 →

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

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →
Appears in
Abstract ConceptsIdioms & Set Phrases

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