B1 Idiom 1 min read

神通广大

shen tong guang da

Immense power; resourceful

Meaning

To possess extraordinary abilities or great resourcefulness.

Practice Bank

3 exercises
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这位魔术师真是______,他能把硬币从耳朵后面变出来。

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在电影中,超级英雄们总是______,能够解决各种危机。

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传说中的孙悟空______,一个跟斗十万八千里。

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The term '神通广大' is a combination of two phrases. '神通' (shéntōng) originally comes from Buddhism, referring to supernatural powers or divine abilities acquired through spiritual cultivation. It literally translates to 'spirit penetration' or 'divine communication,' implying an unimpeded access to and understanding of phenomena beyond ordinary human perception. These powers could include clairvoyance, clairaudience, levitation, and other miraculous feats. '广大' (guǎngdà) means 'vast, extensive, widespread, or great.' When combined with '神通,' it emphasizes the extensive and far-reaching nature of these extraordinary abilities. Therefore, '神通广大' paints a picture of someone whose supernatural or extraordinary powers are not limited but are vast and far-reaching, enabling them to achieve great things or overcome immense obstacles. Over time, while still retaining its spiritual connotations in some contexts, its usage has broadened to describe anyone with exceptional capabilities, profound influence, or immense resourcefulness, even in a secular sense. It's often used to describe someone who can achieve seemingly impossible tasks due to their extraordinary skills, connections, or sheer ingenuity.

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