📖 Meaning
Describes someone who stands out prominently from ordinary people, possessing exceptional qualities that surpass their peers. It emphasizes a level of excellence, conduct, or character that clearly distinguishes them from the masses.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the commentary on the Biography of Liu Yu in the Book of Later Han (《后汉书·刘虞传论》), compiled by the Southern Dynasty historian Fan Ye. The original passage reflects on how rarely one finds a person who can cultivate their conduct and discipline themselves to stand out from the common crowd. The Jin dynasty scholar Ge Hong later used it in his Baopuzi (《抱朴子·逸民》) to praise reclusive scholars of exceptional virtue.
💡 Example Usage
他在文学领域的成就卓然不群，深受后人推崇。
His achievements in the field of literature stand out prominently, earning him deep admiration from later generations.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 卓然不群
- Pinyin: zhuó rán bù qún
- Literal Translation: eminently, not, the crowd
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4