# 九霄云外

jiǔ xiāo yún wài

Far beyond attention or recollection

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Beyond the highest clouds

**Traditional Chinese:** 九霄雲外

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe completely forgetting or disregarding something.

Often used with 抛到 or 忘到.

## Understanding the expression

The highest clouds mark an imaginative place extremely far from ordinary reach. Modern usage sends advice, duties, or worries there when they have been completely forgotten or pushed aside. The phrase is vivid and conversational. It does not measure physical distance. Its focus is the absence of attention, often contrasting a serious instruction with distracting excitement. The speaker may criticize carelessness or describe a welcome release from an unnecessary worry.

## Examples

他把作业忘到九霄云外。

### Traditional Chinese

他把作業忘到九霄雲外。

tā bǎ zuò yè wàng dào jiǔ xiāo yún wài 。

He completely forgot his homework.

一玩游戏，提醒就被抛到九霄云外。

### Traditional Chinese

一玩遊戲，提醒就被拋到九霄雲外。

yì wán yóu xì ， tí xǐng jiù bèi pāo dào jiǔ xiāo yún wài 。

Once gaming began, the reminders were entirely forgotten.

见到朋友，她把烦恼抛到九霄云外。

### Traditional Chinese

見到朋友，她把煩惱拋到九霄雲外。

jiàn dào péng yǒu ， tā bǎ fán nǎo pāo dào jiǔ xiāo yún wài 。

Seeing her friends made her put all her worries aside.

别把安全规则丢到九霄云外。

### Traditional Chinese

別把安全規則丟到九霄雲外。

bié bǎ ān quán guī zé diū dào jiǔ xiāo yún wài 。

Do not completely disregard the safety rules.

## 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=%E4%B9%9D%E9%9C%84%E9%9B%B2%E5%A4%96)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=975&webMd=1&la=0)

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