📖 Meaning
To stand out far above the rest; to surpass ordinary people in ability, talent, or appearance. It describes someone whose excellence distinguishes them clearly from the crowd.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Song dynasty Buddhist text 'Jingde Record of the Transmission of the Lamp' (景德传灯录), Volume 27, compiled by the monk Shimen Daoyuan (释道原). It appears in the context of describing spiritual attainment that transcends the ordinary, with a quality described as '太虚玄' (profoundly mysterious and vast). The idiom conveys the ideal of excellence that rises distinctly above the multitude.
💡 Example Usage
他在数学竞赛中表现超群出众，轻松夺得冠军。
He stood out far above the rest in the math competition and easily took the championship.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 超群出众
- Pinyin: chāo qún chū zhòng
- Literal Translation: surpass, crowd, stand out, multitude
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4