C1 Expression フォーマル 2分で読める

独步天下

Stand alone in the world

直訳: Alone (独) step/walk (步) heaven (天) under (下)

Use this to describe a person or skill that is truly peerless and world-dominating in its excellence.

15秒でわかる

  • Describes someone with unrivaled, world-class skills or talent.
  • Literally means walking alone under heaven because no one compares.
  • Used for high-level praise in professional or legendary contexts.

意味

This phrase describes someone who is so incredibly talented or skilled that they have no rivals on the entire planet. It is like saying someone is 'in a league of their own' or 'the undisputed champion' of their craft.

主な例文

3 / 6
1

Praising a world-class athlete

他的球技独步天下,目前没有人能击败他。

His skills are unrivaled in the world; no one can beat him right now.

💼
2

Complimenting a friend's unique cooking

你这道红烧肉简直是独步天下!

This braised pork of yours is seriously in a league of its own!

🤝
3

A CEO discussing a company's unique patent

我们公司的核心技术在行业内独步天下。

Our company's core technology stands alone in the industry.

👔
🌍

文化的背景

The phrase originates from the 'History of the Later Han,' describing the scholar and calligrapher Zhao Qi. It captures the traditional Chinese ideal of 'The Peerless Master,' a recurring theme in literature where a single individual reaches the pinnacle of an art form or martial skill. Today, it is frequently used in sports commentary and tech product launches to signify total market dominance.

💡

The 'Subject-Property' Rule

Usually, you don't just say 'He is 独步天下.' You say 'His [Skill/Quality] is 独步天下.' It describes the mastery, not just the person.

⚠️

Avoid Self-Praise

In Chinese culture, calling yourself 独步天下 sounds incredibly arrogant. Even if you are the best, let someone else say it for you!

15秒でわかる

  • Describes someone with unrivaled, world-class skills or talent.
  • Literally means walking alone under heaven because no one compares.
  • Used for high-level praise in professional or legendary contexts.

What It Means

Imagine standing at the peak of a mountain with no one else in sight. That is the vibe of 独步天下. It means having a skill so unique or a talent so supreme that you are literally 'walking alone' because nobody can keep up with you. It is the ultimate compliment for mastery.

How To Use It

You usually place it after a subject to describe their status. You can say someone's skill 独步天下. It sounds grand and cinematic. Use it when you are genuinely impressed by a world-class performance. It is like giving someone a standing ovation with your words.

When To Use It

Use it when discussing legendary figures like Michael Jordan or Marie Curie. It works great in professional settings when praising a company's unique technology. You can also use it at dinner when your friend makes a dish so good it belongs in a museum. It adds a touch of epic flair to your praise.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this for mediocre or 'just okay' things. If you use it for a burnt piece of toast, people will think you are being incredibly sarcastic. Avoid using it for yourself unless you want to sound like a cartoon villain. Humility is a big deal in Chinese culture, so let others say it about you.

Cultural Background

This phrase feels like it jumped straight out of a Wuxia (martial arts) novel. In ancient stories, a master with a secret technique would 'walk the world' unchallenged. It carries the weight of history and the romance of the lone hero. It reflects the Chinese admiration for absolute perfection in a craft.

Common Variations

You might hear 天下无双, which means 'unparalleled under heaven.' There is also 盖世无双, which implies your talent covers the whole era. While they are similar, 独步天下 has a more active, rhythmic feel to it. It suggests you are moving through the world while others are just watching.

使い方のコツ

This is a high-register idiom. While it's perfectly fine in casual conversation for emphasis, it carries a 'literary' weight that makes you sound educated and articulate.

💡

The 'Subject-Property' Rule

Usually, you don't just say 'He is 独步天下.' You say 'His [Skill/Quality] is 独步天下.' It describes the mastery, not just the person.

⚠️

Avoid Self-Praise

In Chinese culture, calling yourself 独步天下 sounds incredibly arrogant. Even if you are the best, let someone else say it for you!

💬

The Martial Arts Connection

If you use this phrase while talking about Kung Fu, you'll sound like a total pro. It's a staple of 'Wuxia' movies and novels.

例文

6
#1 Praising a world-class athlete
💼

他的球技独步天下,目前没有人能击败他。

His skills are unrivaled in the world; no one can beat him right now.

Standard use to describe a top-tier professional athlete.

#2 Complimenting a friend's unique cooking
🤝

你这道红烧肉简直是独步天下!

This braised pork of yours is seriously in a league of its own!

A high-energy, friendly compliment using hyperbole.

#3 A CEO discussing a company's unique patent
👔

我们公司的核心技术在行业内独步天下。

Our company's core technology stands alone in the industry.

Formal business context showing competitive advantage.

#4 Texting about a legendary musician
😊

他的钢琴演奏真的独步天下,太震撼了。

His piano playing is truly peerless, so shocking.

Informal praise for artistic mastery.

#5 Humorously praising a friend's weird talent
😄

你这种‘一秒入睡’的本领,真是独步天下。

This talent of yours for falling asleep in one second is truly unrivaled.

Using a grand phrase for a trivial skill creates a funny contrast.

#6 Expressing deep admiration for a mentor
💭

老师的学问独步天下,令我十分敬佩。

My teacher's knowledge is unparalleled, and I admire him deeply.

Used to show respect for intellectual depth.

自分をテスト

Choose the best context to use '独步天下'.

这位艺术家的画工___,无人能及。

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 独步天下

The sentence mentions 'no one can reach his level' (无人能及), which perfectly matches the meaning of being unrivaled.

Which subject is most appropriate for '独步天下' in a formal speech?

他的___独步天下。

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 才华

Talent (才华) is a grand quality suitable for such an epic expression, unlike lunch or socks.

🎉 スコア: /2

ビジュアル学習ツール

Formality and Intensity Spectrum

Informal

Used jokingly with close friends.

Your gaming skills are 独步天下!

Neutral

Describing a famous person in conversation.

His writing is 独步天下.

Formal

Used in literary reviews or business speeches.

Our innovation is 独步天下.

Where to use 独步天下

独步天下
🏅

Sports Commentary

Describing an Olympic gold medalist.

🎨

Artistic Review

Praising a master's brushwork.

💼

Business Pitch

Highlighting a unique market position.

😂

Sarcastic Joke

When a friend does something uniquely silly.

よくある質問

10 問

Not at all! While it has ancient roots, it is very common in modern sports news and high-end advertising to describe 'best-in-class' performance.

Yes, you can use it for things like a unique product or a specific dish, as in 这台机器的性能独步天下 (This machine's performance is unrivaled).

第一 is a simple ranking, but 独步天下 carries a sense of style and artistic mastery. It's much more poetic.

Yes, especially if you want to hype up a friend's achievement. It shows you are very impressed.

Generally no, unless you are being sarcastic. Using such a grand phrase for something bad sounds like a joke.

Technically 天下 means 'under heaven' (the world), but it is often used figuratively for a specific field or industry.

Not really, but 独步 can sometimes be used alone in very formal literature to mean 'unrivaled.'

Focus on the fourth tone of (dú) and (bù). The rhythm should be 2-2: Dúbù (pause) tiānxià.

It is slightly more common in writing (articles, reviews), but it's very effective in spoken praise to add emphasis.

It's better for skills or talents. For scenery, you would more likely use 世外桃源 or 天下第一景.

関連フレーズ

天下无双 (Unparalleled under heaven)

举世无双 (Matchless in the world)

盖世英雄 (A hero who towers over the age)

无与伦比 (Incomparable)

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