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前无古人 (qián wú gǔ rén) — (idiom) unprecedented, unheard of (in history)

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning 'no precedent in history — never done before'. Emphasizes historical firsts, like 史无前例 but more literary; 空前 focuses on scale rather than a 'first'.

idiom
unprecedentedunheard of (in history)

Examples

  • 前无古人，。
    Zhè xiàng fā míng qián wú gǔ rén, gǎi biàn le zhěng gè shì jiè.
    This invention is unprecedented and changed the entire world.
  • 前无古人，。
    Tā de chéng jiù qián wú gǔ rén, hòu rén hěn nán chāo yuè.
    His achievements are unprecedented; it's hard for later generations to surpass them.
  • 前无古人，。
    Zhè cì dēng yuè xíng dòng qián wú gǔ rén, shì rén lèi de yí dà bù.
    This moon landing mission is unprecedented — a giant leap for humanity.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

In the older form of 前, 止 (foot) and 舟 (boat) showed a foot on a boat moving forward; in the current 前 those parts are shortened.

Open 前 →

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.

One reading of 古 sees a shield-like shape above an open mark, showing strength and firmness. Another sees a person spitting out bad-tasting food.

Open 古 →

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

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HistoryIdioms & Set Phrases

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