才高八斗

You usually place this right after a person's name or a pronoun. You can say 他才高八斗 (He is immensely talented). It functions as an adjective phrase to describe writers, poets, or that friend who wins every trivia night. It is a heavy-duty compliment. Don't use it for someone who just fixed a leaky faucet. Use it for someone who writes a beautiful novel or gives a brilliant speech.

Use it when you are genuinely impressed by someone's mental depth. It fits perfectly in a toast at a book launch. You can use it when introducing a guest speaker at a seminar. It also works in a text message when a friend sends you a deeply moving poem. It shows you recognize their hard work and natural gift. It is a high-level way to say 'You are a genius.'

Avoid using this for physical skills or sports. You wouldn't call a basketball player 才高八斗. It is strictly for 'brain power' and literary grace. Also, never use it for yourself. Chinese culture prizes modesty. If you call yourself 才高八斗, people will think you are incredibly arrogant. It is a gift you give to others, not a crown you put on your own head.

This phrase comes from the poet Xie Lingyun. He lived during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. He was a bit of a fanboy for another poet named Cao Zhi. Xie famously said that if the world's talent were divided into ten parts, Cao Zhi owned eight of them. He took one part for himself and left the last part for the rest of the world. It is a classic example of ancient 'hype.'

You might hear 学富五车 (knowledge rich enough to fill five carts). While 才高八斗 focuses on raw creative talent, 学富五车 focuses on how many books someone has read. Both are top-tier compliments for the 'smartest person in the room.' Use them interchangeably if you want to sound like a true scholar.