七步之才 Genius in seven steps
Explanation
形容才思敏捷，能迅速地做出反应，并做出一些出色的成果。
It describes someone who is quick-witted and able to react quickly and produce excellent results.
Origin Story
三国时期，曹植的哥哥曹丕称帝后，为了考验曹植的才华，就出了一道难题，要求曹植在七步之内作诗，否则就要处罚。曹植不慌不忙，很快就写出了一首诗：“煮豆持作羹，漉菽以为汁；萁在釜下燃，豆在釜中泣；本自同根生，相煎何太急！”这首诗表达了兄弟之间应该相互友爱，不要互相残害的道理。曹丕听了之后深受感动，取消了对曹植的惩罚。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi's elder brother, became emperor. To test Cao Zhi's talent, he gave him a difficult task: he had to write a poem in seven steps, otherwise he would be punished. Cao Zhi calmly and quickly wrote a poem: “Boiling beans to make soup, filtering the beans to make juice; The bean stalks burn under the pot, the beans cry in the pot; They are born from the same root, why are you so eager to fry each other?” This poem expresses the idea that brothers should love each other and not harm each other. Cao Pi was deeply moved and lifted the punishment on Cao Zhi.
Usage
形容人有才华，能迅速地想出办法或做出作品。
It describes a person who is talented and can quickly think of ways or make works.
Examples
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曹植七步成诗，真乃七步之才！
cáo zhí qī bù chéng shī, zhēn nǎi qī bù zhī cái!
Cao Zhi wrote a poem in seven steps, he is truly a genius!
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他虽然年轻，却很有才华，简直是七步之才。
tā suī rán nián qīng, què hěn yǒu cái huá, jiǎn zhí shì qī bù zhī cái.
He is young, but very talented, he is simply a genius.
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他脑袋瓜子灵活，简直是七步之才。
tā nǎo dài guā zi líng huó, jiǎn zhí shì qī bù zhī cái
He has a sharp mind, he is simply a genius.