开天辟地

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"开天辟地" literally means "to open the sky and split the earth," referring to the creation of the world or the very beginning of something monumental. It is often used metaphorically to describe groundbreaking events or innovations that mark a new era.

Common Contexts

This phrase appears in historical, mythological, or literary contexts to emphasize the origin or a revolutionary breakthrough. It can describe both literal creation myths and figurative 'earth-shaking' changes in society, science, or culture.

Collocations and Patterns

Usage Notes

When using 开天辟地, speakers imply something unprecedented and foundational. It carries a grand and formal tone, suitable for written or formal spoken Chinese. Avoid using it for minor changes or everyday events, as it suggests a scale of importance beyond the ordinary.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 开天辟地 with simpler words for "beginning" or "start" like 开始 or 起初. 开天辟地 emphasizes a cosmic or epochal scale, not just any start.

Example Sentences

This movie tells the story of the creation of the world.

His invention is a groundbreaking breakthrough for the scientific community.

The earth-shaking changes made people reevaluate history.