神通广大

神通廣大
shéntōng-guǎngdà
idiom #29,504

Meanings

  1. 1 to possess remarkable abilities
  2. 2 to have magical powers
  3. 3 all-powerful; resourceful

Examples

Sūn Wùkōng shéntōng-guǎngdà, néng qīshí'èr biàn.
Sun Wukong has remarkable powers - he can perform seventy-two transformations.
Tā zài shāngjiè shéntōng-guǎngdà, rènshi hěnduō yǒu yǐngxiǎnglì de rén.
He is extremely well-connected in the business world and knows many influential people.

Tips

culture
Originally from Buddhist mythology, 神通 refers to supernatural or magical powers. In modern usage, 神通广大 is often used humorously or admiringly of someone with an impressively wide network or capabilities.
memory
(divine/spirit) + (connected; to pass through) + 广 (wide/broad) + (great/large) = divine powers that extend far and wide. Think of a deity whose influence reaches everywhere.

In Pop Culture

孙悟空神通广大 Sūnwùkōng shéntōngguǎngdà
The Monkey King Sun Wukong - the supremely powerful trickster hero of Journey to the West (西游记), epitome of 神通广大
Journey to the West (西游记, classic Chinese novel)

Stroke Order

shén
tōng
广 guǎng