📖 Meaning
Literally too high to climb or reach. Describes something that is unattainable, out of reach, or beyond one's grasp. Also describes a person who is aloof and difficult to approach.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces to the Han dynasty scholar Jia Yi's memorial to Emperor Wen, 'Chen Zhengshi Shu' (Memorial on State Affairs), also known as 'Zhi'an Ce' (Policy on Peace and Security). Jia Yi wrote that those in high positions are difficult to climb up to, while those in low positions are easily trampled upon, as this follows the natural order of things. He used this observation to discuss the political dynamics between rulers and their subjects. Over centuries the phrase evolved to describe anything unattainable, as well as people who keep themselves distant and inaccessible.
💡 Example Usage
许多人认为名校高不可攀，其实只要努力就能实现。
Many people consider elite universities out of reach, but with effort they are achievable.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 高不可攀
- Pinyin: gāo bù kě pān
- Literal Translation: high, not, can, climb
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4