堪称一绝 (kān chēng yì jué) — can be called unparalleled; worthy of being called the best of its kind

Definition

A set phrase meaning 'can rightly be called the best of its kind' — a high, literary praise used for skills, tastes, or scenery. Functions as a predicate complement after the topic, not a stand-alone verb.

verb
can be called unparalleledworthy of being called the best of its kind

Examples

  • 堪称一绝，。
    Tā de shū fǎ jì yì kān chēng yì jué, měi cì zhǎn lǎn dōu xī yǐn hěn duō rén.
    His calligraphy skill is unparalleled; it attracts many people at every exhibition.
  • 堪称一绝，。
    Zhè dào cài de wèi dào kān chēng yì jué, ràng wǒ chī le yí cì jiù wàng bù liǎo.
    The taste of this dish is outstanding—I can't forget it after just one try.
  • 堪称一绝，。
    Guì lín shān shuǐ kān chēng yì jué, měi nián dōu yǒu dà liàng yóu kè qián lái guān shǎng.
    The landscapes of Guilin are unparalleled, drawing huge numbers of tourists every year.

Origin

Characters in this word

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
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
甚
甚shèn堪kān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 土 is earth. The right part 甚 gives the sound and also hints at something extreme, matching the old idea of a heavy earthen protrusion whose weight one bears.

Open 堪 →

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 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hérice
Sound part声符shēngfú
爯
爯chēng稱chēng
Same sound today

The traditional form 稱 pairs 禾 (rice) with 爯, a part giving the sound; it is explained as measuring rice. The simplified 称 is a later shorthand.

Open 称 →

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

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 絕; 绝 is its simplified writing.

In the traditional form 絕, 刀 (knife) and 幺 (silk) show a knife cutting silk threads. The simplified 绝 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the original picture.

Open 绝 →

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