神来之笔

shén lái zhī bǐ

  • Meaning

    Literal

    A written work which appears to have been created with the guidance of a deity

    Usage

    A magnificent work

  • Connotation

    Positive

  • Usage Examples

    这里展出的近百幅水彩画,既有画坛大师的精制佳构,也有后起之秀的神来之笔 | Zhèlǐ zhǎn chū de jìn bǎi fú shuǐcǎihuà, jìyǒu huàtán dàshī de jīngzhì jiāgòu, yě yǒu hòuqǐzhīxiù de shénláizhībǐ
    Here on display are almost one-hundred watercolor paintings. Among the paintings are refined works from famous painters and genius works from newcomers
    [Source]

    他以神来之笔创作出雄浑的诗篇 | Tā yǐ shénláizhībǐ chuàngzuò chū xiónghún de shīpiān
    He created this work of poetry through a stroke of genius
    [Source]

  • Equivalents

    English

    A stroke of genius

    Chinese

    None

  • Entry Notes

    None

  • Origin

    《二十年目睹之怪现状》(Èr Shí Nián Mù Dǔ Zhī Guài Xiàn Zhuàng), a work by Qīng Dynasty (清, 1644 - 1911) novelist 吴趼人 (Wú Jiǎn Rén). It is generally known in English as "The Strange State of the World Witnessed Over 20 Years" or "Bizarre Happenings Eyewitnessed over Two Decades."

  • Story

    This chengyu is from a line in the work listed in the "Origin" section above

  • Citations and Helpful Resources

    • 汉语成语小词典 (hànyǔ chéngyǔ xiǎo cídiǎn)
    • 现代汉语规范词典 (xiàndài hànyǔ guīfàn cídiǎn)
    • 多功能成语词典 (duō gōngnéng chéngyǔ cídiǎn)
    • 汉语大词典 (hànyǔ dà cídiǎn)
    • ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary
    • Pleco Basic Chinese-English Dictionary