初露锋芒 (chū lù fēng máng) — (idiom) to begin to display one's talent or ability for the first time

Definition

Idiom meaning a young or rising person first shows their talent. The 'initial' sense (初) is key — it marks a debut, not a steady display of skill.

idiom
to begin to display one's talent or ability for the first time

Examples

  • 初露锋芒，。
    Zhè wèi qīng nián huà jiā zài zhè cì zhǎn lǎn zhōng chū lù fēng máng, shòu dào guǎng fàn hǎo píng.
    This young painter showed his talent for the first time at this exhibition and received widespread praise.
  • 初露锋芒，。
    Tā zài gōng sī de xīn xiàng mù lǐ chū lù fēng máng, dé dào le lǎo bǎn de shǎng shí.
    He began to show his talent in the company's new project and won the boss's appreciation.
  • 初露锋芒，。
    Nà wèi nián qīng xuǎn shǒu zài bǐ sài zhōng chū lù fēng máng, yì jǔ duó dé guàn jūn.
    That young competitor showed his talent for the first time in the match and won the championship in one go.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

初 combines 衤 (clothes) and 刀 (knife), showing the start of making clothes by cutting cloth.

Open 初 →

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
雨雨yǔ
Sound part声符shēngfú
路
路lù露lù
Same sound today

露 pairs 雨, a rain-related meaning part, with 路, a sound part.

Open 露 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 鋒; 锋 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
夆
夆páng鋒fēng
Same sound today

The traditional form 鋒 pairs 金 (metal) with a sound part 夆; the simplified 锋 is a shorthand.

Open 锋 →

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
艹Written in full as艸cǎograss
Sound part声符shēngfú
亡
亡wáng芒máng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

芒 pairs 艹 (grass) with 亡 as a sound part.

Open 芒 →

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