开天辟地

• Pinyin: kāi tiān pì dì
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = to open; 天 = sky, heaven; 辟 = to open up; 地 = earth

Meaning

To create the world; unprecedented; groundbreaking.

Originally from the myth of Pangu creating the universe by separating heaven and earth. Now used figuratively to describe something unprecedented, pioneering, or epoch-making. Often appears in formal or literary contexts. Collocates with 从来没有 (never before), 第一次 (first time), 大事 (major event).

Examples

1. 在盘古神话中，混沌之中盘古开天辟地，创造了宇宙。 In the Pangu myth, Pangu separated heaven and earth from chaos, creating the universe.
2. 这项技术是开天辟地的创新，将彻底改变整个行业的格局。 This technology is a groundbreaking innovation that will completely transform the entire industry.
3. 我们家族能出一个博士，真是开天辟地头一遭。 For our family to produce a PhD is a first in our entire history.

Usage Guide

Context: mythology, achievements, firsts

Tone: dramatic

Do Say

• 这是开天辟地以来从未有过的创举。(This is an unprecedented initiative since the creation of the world.)
• 他做出了开天辟地的贡献。(He made groundbreaking contributions.)

Don't Say

• 我今天开天辟地地吃了早餐。(This idiom is for truly unprecedented, major things — not mundane activities)

Origin & History

开 (to open) + 天 (sky/heaven) + 辟 (to open up) + 地 (earth). From the myth of Pangu separating heaven and earth to create the world.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal