八仙过海

八仙過海

bāxiānguòhǎi

idiom

Meanings

1 the Eight Immortals cross the sea (each showing their own powers)
2 each person uses their own skills to solve the problem
3 everyone draws on their own unique abilities

Characters

immortal, Daoist deity

to cross, to pass

Examples

这次的销售任务，大家八仙过海，各显神通吧！

Zhè cì de xiāoshòu rènwu, dàjiā bāxiānguòhǎi, gè xiǎn shéntōng ba!

For this sales target, let's each show our own skills — may the best method win!

面对难题，团队成员八仙过海，提出了各种方案。

Miànduì nántí, tuánduì chéngyuán bāxiānguòhǎi, tíchū le gèzhǒng fāng'àn.

Facing the difficulty, team members each brought their own methods and proposed various solutions.

考场上同学们八仙过海，都用自己的方法解题。

Kǎochǎng shàng tóngxuémen bāxiānguòhǎi, dōu yòng zìjǐ de fāngfǎ jiětí.

In the exam hall, classmates each drew on their own approach to solve the problems.

Tips

culture

The Eight Immortals (八仙) are legendary Daoist figures — Lü Dongbin, He Xiangu, Li Tieguai and others. Legend says they crossed the Eastern Sea not by boat but each using their own magical tool. Full saying: 八仙过海，各显神通 ('the Eight Immortals cross the sea, each showing their own powers').

usage

Often truncated; the full saying 八仙过海，各显神通 is even more common. Positive and playful — celebrates diversity of approach rather than following one method.

Stroke Order

八 bā

仙 xiān

过 guò

海 hǎi