What Does the Chinese Idiom (ChengYu) “一鳴驚人” Yīmíngjīngrén Mean?

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Hey there, language enthusiasts! It’s me, your language buddy, bringing another fascinating Chinese idiom to your learning journey. This time, we’re exploring the intriguing world of “一鳴驚人” Yīmíngjīngrén.

Now, buckle up because we’re going on a fun ride.

Picture this: I’m at a local karaoke night in Taipei, my friends all know me as a quiet bookworm, always engrossed in my Chinese idioms. But that night, I decided to try something new. I picked up the mic, and to everyone’s surprise, belted out a popular Taiwanese pop song with perfect pitch and rhythm! The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into applause.

That was the night when I truly embodied “一鳴驚人.”

Definition of 一鳴驚人

  • Traditional: 一鳴驚人
  • Simplified: 一鸣惊人
  • Pinyin: Yīmíngjīngrén
  • English: Make a hit with a single try, astonish the world with a single feat.
  • Definition: “一鳴驚人” is used to describe someone who suddenly rises to fame or accomplishes something significant that no one expected. It’s like being an unknown singer who releases a chart-topping hit out of nowhere.

History of 一鳴驚人

The origin of “一鳴驚人” dates back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties period of China. It comes from the story of Xiao He, a famous politician of the Han Dynasty, and his encounter with a goose. When Xiao He was young, he saw a goose flying by and was struck by its majestic bearing. He then expressed his aspiration to “一鳴驚人”.

Modern Usage of 一鳴驚人

In modern Mandarin, “一鳴驚人” is often used to describe a sudden and unexpected success, especially in a situation where someone has previously been overlooked or underestimated. It’s commonly used in the context of competitions, auditions, or any scenario where someone has an opportunity to showcase their talent or skill.

3 Example Sentences of 一鳴驚人

Here are a few example sentences of the idiom 一鳴驚人 to help you remember it.

1. 他在歌唱比賽中一鳴驚人,一夜之間成為了全台灣的焦點。

2. 她的獨特設計一鳴驚人,讓所有人都對她刮目相看。

3. 這位年輕演員在新電影中的演出一鳴驚人,被譽為新一代的影壇之星。

1. Tā zài gēchàng bǐsài zhōng yīmíngjīngrén, yīyè zhījiān chéngwéi le quántáiwān de jiāodiǎn.

2. Tā de dútè shèjì yīmíngjīngrén, ràng suǒyǒu rén dōu duì tā guāmùxiāngkàn.

3. Zhè wèi niánqīng yǎnyuán zài xīn diànyǐng zhōng de yǎnchū yīmíngjīngrén, bèi yù wéi xīn yīdài de yǐngtán zhī xīng.

1. 他在歌唱比赛中一鸣惊人,一夜之间成为了全台湾的焦点。

2. 她的独特设计一鸣惊人,让所有人都对她刮目相看。

3. 这位年轻演员在新电影中的演出一鸣惊人,被誉为新一代的影坛之星。

1. He made a splash in the singing competition, and overnight, he became the focus of all of Taiwan.

2. Her unique design astonished everyone, making everyone look at her with new eyes.

3. This young actor’s performance in the new movie was outstanding, and he is acclaimed as the rising star of the film industry.


Want to learn Chinese and Chinese culture at the same time? Check out my list of 20 top Chinese idioms.

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