📖 Meaning
Describes someone or something that ranks among the very best, outstanding and prominent. If not first, then certainly second — a top-tier position in any comparison.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Cao Xueqin's classic Qing Dynasty novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (《红楼梦》), Chapter 79. In the story, it is used to describe a wealthy merchant family registered with the Ministry of Revenue, emphasizing their status as one of the most prominent and influential households. The phrase has since entered common usage to describe anything or anyone that stands out at the top of their field.
💡 Example Usage
他是我们公司数一数二的工程师。
He is one of the top engineers in our company.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 数一数二
- Pinyin: shǔ yī shǔ èr
- Literal Translation: count, one, count, two
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4