Chinese Idiom: 才高八斗 (Cai Gao Ba Dou)
English Translation: Exceptional Talent
pīn yīn: cái gāo bā dǒu
Idiom Meaning: Refers to exceptional talent or outstanding literary ability.
Historical Source: Sanguozhi · Wei Shu · Chen Si Wang Zhi Zhuan (《三国志·魏书·陈思王植传》)
Idiom Story:
Cao Zhi (曹植), also known as Cao Zhi, was a renowned poet and the fourth son of Cao Cao, a prominent warlord of the Three Kingdoms period. From a young age, Cao Zhi demonstrated exceptional literary talent, impressing his father with his poetry and prose.
In 210 AD, during the construction of the Copper Sparrow Tower in Ye City, Cao Cao asked his sons to compose poems in the presence of officials. Cao Zhi, known for his quick wit and literary prowess, produced an excellent piece swiftly.
After Cao Cao’s death in 220 AD, his son Cao Pi succeeded him as emperor. Fearing Cao Zhi’s potential challenge for the throne due to his talent, Cao Pi sought to test his brother’s abilities. He demanded that Cao Zhi compose a poem within ten steps, under threat of severe punishment if he failed. The subject was a painting of a cow that had fallen into a well and died. Cao Zhi, undaunted, quickly produced a poem that subtly avoided the prohibited phrase “two cows fighting under the wall, one cow falls into the well”.
Cao Pi was impressed but still sought to test Cao Zhi further. He challenged him to create a poem within seven steps, with the topic being their fraternal relationship but forbidding any mention of “brother.” Cao Zhi responded with a poignant poem reflecting the bitter and strained relationship:
“Beans boiling in the pot, Beans burning beneath, Beans weeping in the pot; We, born from the same root, Why must we be so different?”
Cao Pi was moved by his brother’s talent and was embarrassed by his own demands.
The story of Cao Zhi’s quick and profound poetic responses contributed to his legendary status. Later, the famous poet Xie Lingyun from the Southern Dynasties praised Cao Zhi’s extraordinary literary skills, saying, “In the world, there is one measure of talent. Cao Zhi has eight dou of that measure, and I have one dou.”
This admiration led to the idiom “才高八斗” (cái gāo bā dǒu), meaning someone with outstanding literary or artistic talent, suggesting they possess the vast majority of creative skill.
