Definition
This chengyu (four-character idiom) literally means 'to surpass the ordinary and shed the vulgar'. It describes a person, quality, or work that is outstanding, refined, and free from worldly concerns — deeply admirable for its purity or elegance. You'd use it to praise someone's character, art, or spirit that feels almost otherworldly.
l
to transcend the mundane and stand aloof from vulgarityoutstanding and unworldlyotherworldly(of art, character, etc.) supremely refined and unconventional
Examples
- 超凡脱俗，。Tā de huàfēng chāo fán tuō sú, lìng rén tàn wéi guān zhǐ.Her painting style transcends the mundane — people gasp in admiration.
- 超凡脱俗，。Zhège xuézhě de pǐngé chāo fán tuō sú, cóngbù zhuīzhú mínglì.This scholar's character is beyond worldly concerns; he never chases fame or fortune.
- 超凡脱俗。Nà shǒu qǔzi gěi tīngzhòng yì zhǒng chāo fán tuō sú de gǎnjué.That piece of music gives the audience a feeling of otherworldly transcendence.
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