# 凤毛麟角

fèng máo lín jiǎo

Be exceptionally rare

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Phoenix feathers and unicorn horns

**Traditional Chinese:** 鳳毛麟角

**Register:** Positive · literary

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe scarce people or things of notable quality.

Usually suggests valued rarity, not merely low quantity.

## Understanding the expression

A phoenix's feathers and a mythical creature's horns are imagined as treasures not readily found. The expression describes people or things that are extremely uncommon, often because their quality or achievement is exceptional. It works for rare expertise, unusual opportunities, or surviving examples of something valuable. It does not automatically mean a rare item is superior. The sentence should identify why the scarcity matters rather than turning low supply into unquestioned praise.

## Examples

能读懂这种古文字的人凤毛麟角。

### Traditional Chinese

能讀懂這種古文字的人鳳毛麟角。

néng dú dǒng zhè zhǒng gǔ wén zì de rén fèng máo lín jiǎo 。

People who can read this ancient script are extremely rare.

保存完整的原版书已是凤毛麟角。

### Traditional Chinese

保存完整的原版書已是鳳毛麟角。

bǎo cún wán zhěng de yuán bǎn shū yǐ shì fèng máo lín jiǎo 。

Intact original editions are now very rare.

这样的奖学金名额凤毛麟角。

### Traditional Chinese

這樣的獎學金名額鳳毛麟角。

zhè yàng de jiǎng xué jīn míng é fèng máo lín jiǎo 。

Scholarship places like these are exceptionally scarce.

兼懂技术与法律的专家凤毛麟角。

### Traditional Chinese

兼懂技術與法律的專家鳳毛麟角。

jiān dǒng jì shù yǔ fǎ lǜ de zhuān jiā fèng máo lín jiǎo 。

Experts versed in both technology and law are rare.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%B3%B3%E6%AF%9B%E9%BA%9F%E8%A7%92)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=476&webMd=1&la=0)

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