Japanese meaning of 千載一遇
Reading:
せんざいいちぐう (senzai ichiguu)
English Translation:
Once in a blue moon / Once in a lifetime chance
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A chance or opportunity that is so rare it may only come once in a person's entire life, emphasizing the need to seize the moment when it appears.
Cultural Context:
From Chinese idioms, used in formal speeches, business, and sports to stress the rarity of an opportunity.
ごく稀にしか訪れない、非常に価値の高い機会やチャンス。一生に一度の巡り合わせとして大切にされます。
中国の成語に由来し、機会の希少性を強調するために演説、ビジネス、スポーツで使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase modifying “の機会” to stress rarity.
Trap for English Speakers
May be confused with frequent occurrence due to misunderstanding “encounter.”
Example
Basic Example
千載一遇のチャンスを逃すな。
Don’t miss this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity.
Applied Example
千載一遇のチャンスを前に、彼の手が震えた。
His hands trembled at the once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity before him.