惊人之举 (jīng rén zhī jǔ) — a stunning act, a shocking move, a masterstroke

Definition

A set phrase meaning a stunning, unexpected move that surprises everyone. It always refers to a single striking action or decision, not a general ability.

noun
a stunning acta shocking movea masterstroke

Examples

  • 惊人之举，。
    Tā de cí zhí shì yí gè jīng rén zhī jǔ, méi rén liào dào.
    His resignation was a shocking move — nobody expected it.
  • 惊人之举。
    Gōng sī zhè cì shōu gòu kān chēng jīng rén zhī jǔ.
    This acquisition by the company can be called a masterstroke.
  • 惊人之举。
    Zhè wèi yùn dòng yuán de fù chū shì tǐ tán jīng rén zhī jǔ.
    This athlete's comeback was a stunning act in the sports world.

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
京
京jīng惊jīng
Same sound today

惊 is made from 忄 (heart) and 京, which gives the sound.

Open 惊 →

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 →

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 舉; 举 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
與
與yǔ舉jǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 舉 pairs 與, which gives the sound, with 手, a hand; the simplified 举 is a later shorthand.

Open 举 →

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