拍案叫绝

拍案叫絕

pāi'àn-jiàojué

idiom #54,806

Meanings

1 to slap the table and shout 'brilliant!'
2 to cry out in admiration
3 to applaud enthusiastically

Characters

supreme; superb

Examples

HSK 5

这部小说的情节设计令人拍案叫绝。

Zhèbù xiǎoshuō de qíngjié shèjì lìngrén pāi'ànjiàojué.

The plotting of this novel is so clever it makes you cry out in admiration.

HSK 6

他的回答妙极了，让人拍案叫绝。

Tā de huídá miào jíle, ràng rén pāi'ànjiàojué.

His answer was so brilliant it had everyone slapping the table in admiration.

Tips

memory

Picture an old scholar in a teahouse hearing a brilliant line - he slaps the table 拍案 and shouts 'jué!' (perfect, masterful). The 案 here is a low desk/table.

Stroke Order

拍 pāi

案 àn

叫 jiào

绝 jué