# 天造地设

tiān zào dì shè

Fit together perfectly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Made by heaven and arranged by earth

**Traditional Chinese:** 天造地設

**Register:** Positive · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Praise an exceptionally suitable pair or arrangement.

An idealizing compliment, not proof of compatibility.

## Understanding the expression

Heaven and earth seem to have coordinated the arrangement before any person intervened. The expression praises a match whose qualities fit so naturally that little adjustment appears necessary. It often applies to couples, but a location and purpose can also suit each other perfectly. The praise can be enthusiastic rather than analytical. Real compatibility still depends on practical details, so an attractive appearance alone should not replace careful understanding.

## Examples

大家说他们是天造地设的一对。

### Traditional Chinese

大家說他們是天造地設的一對。

dà jiā shuō tā men shì tiān zào dì shè de yí duì 。

Everyone calls them a perfectly matched couple.

这片山谷像是天造地设的营地。

### Traditional Chinese

這片山谷像是天造地設的營地。

zhè piàn shān gǔ xiàng shì tiān zào dì shè de yíng dì 。

The valley seems perfectly made for camping.

两种材料搭配得天造地设。

### Traditional Chinese

兩種材料搭配得天造地設。

liǎng zhǒng cái liào dā pèi dé tiān zào dì shè 。

The two materials fit together beautifully.

她和搭档配合默契，宛如天造地设。

### Traditional Chinese

她和搭檔配合默契，宛如天造地設。

tā hé dā dàng pèi hé mò qì ， wǎn rú tiān zào dì shè 。

She and her partner work together as though perfectly matched.

## 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=%E5%A4%A9%E9%80%A0%E5%9C%B0%E8%A8%AD)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=452&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [天真烂漫 tiān zhēn làn màn Be open, unaffected, and naturally cheerful ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tian-zhen-lan-man)

- [天作之合 tiān zuò zhī hé An exceptionally well matched couple ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tian-zuo-zhi-he)

- [铁面无私 tiě miàn wú sī Be strictly impartial despite pressure ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tie-mian-wu-si)

- [同病相怜 tóng bìng xiāng lián Empathize because of shared hardship ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tong-bing-xiang-lian)

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