# 首屈一指

shǒu qū yī zhǐ

Rank first or among the very best

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Bend the first finger when counting

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Praise exceptional standing in a specified area.

A strong claim; identify the field and basis for comparison.

## The image & its use

When counting notable people or things on one's fingers, the first one singled out receives special attention. This expression uses that gesture to convey outstanding status. It can praise an artist, a collection, or a useful facility in a particular place. The comparison needs a boundary: best within a small group is different from best everywhere. Give the area of distinction and a reason for the praise. That makes an emphatic compliment informative rather than an unsupported claim of superiority.

## Examples

这家图书馆的地方文献收藏首屈一指。

### Traditional Chinese

這家圖書館的地方文獻收藏首屈一指。

zhè jiā tú shū guǎn de dì fāng wén xiàn shōu cáng shǒu qū yī zhǐ 。

The library's local document collection is among the very best.

她在班里的书法作品首屈一指。

### Traditional Chinese

她在班裡的書法作品首屈一指。

tā zài bān lǐ de shū fǎ zuò pǐn shǒu qū yī zhǐ 。

Her calligraphy ranks among the best in the class.

这座花园在当地首屈一指，植物种类非常丰富。

### Traditional Chinese

這座花園在當地首屈一指，植物種類非常豐富。

zhè zuò huā yuán zài dāng dì shǒu qū yī zhǐ ， zhí wù zhǒng lèi fēi cháng fēng fù 。

The garden is outstanding locally for its variety of plants.

他的模型制作技术在小组中首屈一指。

### Traditional Chinese

他的模型製作技術在小組中首屈一指。

tā de mó xíng zhì zuò jì shù zài xiǎo zǔ zhōng shǒu qū yī zhǐ 。

His model-making skill is outstanding within the group.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1481&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%A6%96%E5%B1%88%E4%B8%80%E6%8C%87)

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