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抜山蓋世 (ばつざんがいせい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
Herculean strength and vitality ; mighty hero's great power
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
A yojijukugo describing overwhelming physical strength and boundless energy, typically used for legendary heroes or larger-than-life figures. Literary and somewhat rare in everyday speech.
抜ばつ 山ざん 蓋がい 世せい の 気き 概がい を 持も つ 人じん 物ぶつ は 、 歴れき 史し に 名な を 残のこ す 。
A person with such mighty spirit leaves their name in history.
Kanji 抜 slip out, extract, pull out 世 generation, world, society Similar words 力ちから 持も ち 力持ち is a common word for a physically strong person, while 抜山蓋世 is a literary yojijukugo emphasizing heroic, almost superhuman strength and vitality.
豪ごう 傑けつ 豪傑 refers to a great hero or bold person, but 抜山蓋世 focuses specifically on the immense physical power and energy of such a figure.
Etymology A yojijukugo of Chinese origin. 抜山 means 'to uproot a mountain', and 蓋世 means 'to cover the world', together expressing overwhelming strength and vitality. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase is associated with descriptions of legendary heroes in classical Chinese literature.
