qiān zǎi nán féng: 千载难逢 - Once in a Lifetime Opportunity, Extremely Rare

• Keywords: qiān zǎi nán féng, qianzainanfeng, 千载难逢, once in a lifetime opportunity, golden opportunity, rare chance, Chinese idiom for rarity, chengyu meaning, how to use qianzainanfeng
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 千载难逢 (qiān zǎi nán féng), a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) describing a golden opportunity so rare it's said to come only once in a thousand years. This guide breaks down its characters, cultural importance, and practical usage with example sentences, helping you understand when to use this term for a truly unique and unmissable chance. Learn the difference between a “rare chance” and a 千载难逢 moment.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiān zǎi nán féng
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Idiom
• HSK Level: N/A (Considered an advanced, but common, idiom)
• Concise Definition: An opportunity so rare it is difficult to encounter even in a thousand years.
• In a Nutshell: 千载难逢 (qiān zǎi nán féng) is a formal and emphatic way to say something is an incredibly rare, “once in a lifetime” opportunity. It carries a sense of historical weight and significance. Think of it not just as a lucky break, but as a pivotal moment or a golden chance that you absolutely must seize, as it's unlikely to ever appear again.

• 千 (qiān): Thousand. A common character representing a large number.
• 载 (zǎi): Year; measure word for year (literary). It can also mean to carry or record, but here it clearly refers to time.
• 难 (nán): Difficult, hard.
• 逢 (féng): To meet, to come upon, to encounter by chance.

When combined, 千载难逢 (qiān zǎi nán féng) literally translates to “a thousand years, difficult to encounter.” This paints a vivid picture of waiting for an astronomically long time for a single, specific event to occur.

• 千载难逢 reflects a deep-seated cultural appreciation for timing and destiny. In Chinese culture, history, and philosophy, recognizing and acting upon a pivotal moment (机遇, jīyù) is a hallmark of wisdom and a key to success. This idiom isn't just about luck; it's about the wisdom to recognize a moment of profound potential when it arrives.
• Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, we might say “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” While the meaning is similar, 千载难逢 has a grander, more epic scope. You could describe getting tickets to see your favorite band as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” but you would not use 千载难逢. The Chinese idiom is reserved for moments of greater consequence: a chance to study with a legendary master, an investment that could build an empire, or a historical turning point for a nation. It carries a sense of historical scale, whereas the English phrase is often more personal and can be used more casually.

• Formality and Connotation: This is a formal and literary idiom with a very positive connotation. It is used to emphasize the immense value and rarity of an opportunity. Using it for something trivial would sound overly dramatic or sarcastic.
• Common Contexts:
  • Business and Career: Describing a unique job offer from a prestigious company, a groundbreaking investment opportunity, or a chance to lead a major project.
  • Personal Growth: A chance to be mentored by a renowned expert in a field, receiving a scholarship to a top university, or an invitation to a highly exclusive event.
  • National and Global Events: A country hosting the Olympics for the first time, a historic peace treaty being signed, or a scientific breakthrough.

• Example 1:
  • 这次去北极考察的机会千载难逢，你一定要抓住。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì qù Běijí kǎochá de jīhuì qiān zǎi nán féng, nǐ yīdìng yào zhuāzhù.
  • English: This opportunity to go on an expedition to the Arctic is once in a lifetime; you absolutely must seize it.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes the extreme rarity and importance of the scientific expedition.
• Example 2:
  • 对于我们公司来说，这是一个千载难逢的发展机遇。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú wǒmen gōngsī lái shuō, zhè shì yī gè qiān zǎi nán féng de fāzhǎn jīyù.
  • English: For our company, this is a golden opportunity for development.
  • Analysis: Used in a business context to describe a pivotal moment for a company's growth.
• Example 3:
  • 能得到王教授的亲自指导，真是千载难逢的好机会。
  • Pinyin: Néng dédào Wáng jiàoshòu de qīnzì zhǐdǎo, zhēnshi qiān zǎi nán féng de hǎo jīhuì.
  • English: To be able to receive Professor Wang's personal guidance is truly a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity.
  • Analysis: Highlights the prestige and rarity of being mentored by a specific, important person.
• Example 4:
  • 经济改革为企业家们提供了千载难逢的商机。
  • Pinyin: Jīngjì gǎigé wèi qǐyèjiāmen tígōng le qiān zǎi nán féng de shāngjī.
  • English: The economic reform provided entrepreneurs with an extremely rare business opportunity.
  • Analysis: Used to describe a large-scale, historical event creating opportunities.
• Example 5:
  • 故宫博物院这次展出的许多文物都是千载难逢的珍品。
  • Pinyin: Gùgōng Bówùyuàn zhè cì zhǎnchū de xǔduō wénwù dōu shì qiān zǎi nán féng de zhēnpǐn.
  • English: Many of the cultural relics exhibited this time at the Palace Museum are extremely rare treasures.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used to describe rare objects, not just opportunities, emphasizing they are rarely seen.
• Example 6:
  • 他意识到这是一个千载难逢的时刻，可以彻底改变自己的命运。
  • Pinyin: Tā yìshí dào zhè shì yī gè qiān zǎi nán féng de shíkè, kěyǐ chèdǐ gǎibiàn zìjǐ de mìngyùn.
  • English: He realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment that could completely change his destiny.
  • Analysis: Shows the idiom's connection to personal fate and life-changing decisions.
• Example 7:
  • 这样的历史条件是千载难逢的，我们必须好好利用。
  • Pinyin: Zhèyàng de lìshǐ tiáojiàn shì qiān zǎi nán féng de, wǒmen bìxū hǎohǎo lìyòng.
  • English: These historical conditions are incredibly rare, we must make good use of them.
  • Analysis: Connects the idiom to specific historical circumstances.
• Example 8:
  • 错过这次千载难逢的机会，他后悔不已。
  • Pinyin: Cuòguò zhè cì qiān zǎi nán féng de jīhuì, tā hòuhuǐ bùyǐ.
  • English: He was filled with regret after missing this golden opportunity.
  • Analysis: This example shows the negative consequence of failing to seize such an opportunity.
• Example 9:
  • 作为一名记者，能够现场报道这一历史事件，对我来说是千载难逢的荣幸。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng jìzhě, nénggòu xiànchǎng bàodào zhè yī lìshǐ shìjiàn, duì wǒ lái shuō shì qiān zǎi nán féng de róngxìng.
  • English: As a journalist, being able to report on this historical event live is a once-in-a-lifetime honor for me.
  • Analysis: Connects the opportunity with the concept of honor (荣幸, róngxìng).
• Example 10:
  • 这颗彗星的出现是千载难逢的天文奇观。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kē huìxīng de chūxiàn shì qiān zǎi nán féng de tiānwén qíguān.
  • English: The appearance of this comet is an astronomical spectacle you see once in a thousand years.
  • Analysis: A literal application of the idiom to a rare natural phenomenon.

• Mistake 1: Overusing for trivial matters. The most common mistake is to use 千载难逢 for something that is merely uncommon, not epic. It is a major exaggeration to use it for a store sale or a good parking spot.
  • Incorrect: `今天天气真好，真是千载难逢！(Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn hǎo, zhēnshi qiān zǎi nán féng!)`
  • Why it's wrong: A nice day is pleasant, but not a world-changing event. For this, you should use `难得 (nándé)`. For example: `今天天气真好，很难得。(Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn hǎo, hěn nándé.)` - “The weather is great today, it's quite rare.”
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with `机会难得` (jīhuì nándé).
  • 机会难得 (jīhuì nándé) means “an opportunity that is hard to come by.” It's a great, useful phrase for everyday “rare opportunities.”
  • 千载难逢 is `机会难得` amplified a hundred times. Use `机会难得` for a chance to get a good discount or meet a visiting friend. Use `千载难逢` for a chance to change your life or witness history.

• 机不可失，时不再来 (jī bùkě shī, shí bùzài lái) - “An opportunity cannot be lost, for time will not come again.” A proverb that emphasizes the urgency of seizing a `千载难逢` moment.
• 机会难得 (jīhuì nándé) - A less intense synonym meaning “a rare opportunity.” This is the appropriate term for most situations that are uncommon but not historic.
• 百年不遇 (bǎi nián bù yù) - “Not encountered in a hundred years.” A very similar idiom, just on a slightly smaller time scale. It is still used for major events, like a “hundred-year flood.”
• 机遇 (jīyù) - The noun for a favorable opportunity or turning point. `千载难逢` is often used to describe a `机遇`.
• 稍纵即逝 (shāo zòng jí shì) - “Fleeting” or “disappears in a flash.” Describes the nature of many great opportunities; they are not only rare but also require quick action.
• 家常便饭 (jiāchángbiànfàn) - An antonym. Literally “home-cooked meal,” it means something is “routine,” “commonplace,” or “nothing out of the ordinary.”
• 司空见惯 (sīkōngjiànguàn) - An antonym. Means “a common sight” or something that one is used to seeing and is no longer surprised by.