可谓／堪称
can truly be called; well deserves to be called
Structure
（事实）， 主语 可谓／堪称 评价
What it means
Both are written verdicts that sum up facts just given: 可谓 “may be called”, 堪称 “worthy of being called”.
How it is built
Facts，subject + 可谓 + chengyu/adjective/noun phrase: 《哪吒2》可谓一骑绝尘 (Ne Zha 2 truly left the field behind). Subject + 堪称 + noun of praise: 这座大桥堪称奇迹 (the bridge deserves to be called a wonder).
When to use it
可谓 is often strengthened to 真可谓 and sums up bad news as well as good (可谓损失惨重). 堪称 normally takes a noun of praise: 堪称经典, 堪称一绝, 堪称典范. Keep both out of casual chat about small things.
Watch out
With a bad label 堪称 turns ironic or dramatic (堪称灾难), so for plain bad news use 可谓: ✓ 可谓损失惨重.
Examples
排在第二位的《长津湖》只有五十七亿多元，《哪吒2》可谓一骑绝尘。
The runner-up made just over 5.7 billion; Ne Zha 2 had truly left the field far behind.
也有人说，《哪吒2》堪称中国动画的一座里程碑。
Others say Ne Zha 2 deserves to be called a milestone for Chinese animation.
这座大桥堪称世界桥梁史上的奇迹。
The bridge can rightly be called a wonder in the history of bridge-building.
Learn this in Lesson 66 · HSK 6: 《哪吒2》与中国电影 (Ne Zha 2 and Chinese cinema)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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