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别具匠心 (bié jù jiàng xīn) — to show ingenuity; to be ingeniously conceived; (of design, creation) clever, original, brilliantly conceived

Definition

An idiom meaning 'ingeniously conceived with original craft' — emphasizes the creator's skillful, inventive design (architecture, art, exhibitions). More literary than plain 创意, and focuses on the maker's craft rather than just novelty.

phrase
to show ingenuityto be ingeniously conceived(of design, creation) cleveroriginalbrilliantly conceived

Examples

  • 别具匠心，。
    Zhè zuò qiáo de shè jì bié jù jiàng xīn, róng hé le chuán tǒng yǔ xiàn dài.
    The design of this bridge is ingeniously conceived, blending tradition and modernity.
  • 别具匠心，。
    Tā de huà zuò bié jù jiàng xīn, měi yì bǐ dōu chōng mǎn chuàng yì.
    His paintings show great ingenuity; every stroke is full of creativity.
  • 别具匠心，。
    Zhè chǎng zhǎn lǎn de bù zhì bié jù jiàng xīn, ràng rén ěr mù yì xīn.
    The layout of this exhibition is brilliantly conceived, giving people a fresh experience.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 別; 别 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 別 pairs 冎 (bone) with 刀 (knife), showing a knife cutting up bone and flesh. The simplified 别 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 别 →

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

具 pairs 廾 (two hands) with 鼎 (a cauldron), showing hands working with a cauldron to prepare food.

Open 具 →

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

Traditionally, 匠 combines 匚, a box, with 斤, an axe.

Open 匠 →

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

The shape of 心 comes from a drawing of a heart, now highly stylized.

Open 心 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Art & Fine ArtsIdioms & Set Phrases

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