天之骄子 (tiān zhī jiāo zǐ) — (idiom) a person especially favored by fate; one who is exceptionally lucky or talented

Definition

A chengyu meaning 'child of heaven' — someone exceptionally favored by fate, gifted, or remarkably lucky. Carries a formal, literary tone, often used with a hint of envy or to urge humility.

idiom
a person especially favored by fateone who is exceptionally lucky or talented

Examples

  • 天之骄子，。
    Tā cóng xiǎo jiù shì tiān zhī jiāo zǐ, xué xí hé gōng zuò dōu hěn shùn lì.
    He has been a favored child of heaven since childhood — both his studies and work have gone smoothly.
  • 天之骄子，。
    Dà jiā dōu jué de tā shì tiān zhī jiāo zǐ, dàn tā zì jǐ zhī dào yǒu duō nǔ lì.
    Everyone thinks he is fortune's favorite, but he himself knows how hard he has worked.
  • 天之骄子，。
    Bú yào yǐ wéi nǐ shì tiān zhī jiāo zǐ, yùn qì bú huì yì zhí hǎo.
    Don't think you are heaven's favorite — luck won't last forever.

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
大大dà
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng天tiān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape comes from a frontal standing man 大 with a head; 天 pairs 大 with 丁 for sound.

Open 天 →

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

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

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 驕; 骄 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
馬馬mǎhorse
Sound part声符shēngfú
喬
喬qiáo驕jiāo
Same sound today

The traditional form 驕 pairs 馬 (horse) with 喬 for the sound; the simplified 骄 is a later shorthand.

Open 骄 →

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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