堪 is an ancient character meaning 'to bear', 'to withstand', or 'to be worthy of'; 称 means 'to call', 'to name', or 'to praise'. Together, 堪称 literally means 'can truly bear the title' — conveying strong affirmation that something fully deserves a particular label or description. It functions as a formal, literary verb used to express high praise or authoritative judgment.

This phrase typically appears before a noun or noun phrase (e.g., 堪称奇迹, 堪称典范) and is common in written Chinese — essays, news reports, academic writing, and formal speeches. It implies objectivity and consensus, not just personal opinion. While it can describe people, places, or events, it’s especially frequent when highlighting exceptional natural phenomena, cultural achievements, or outstanding individuals — such as animals with remarkable traits or behaviors that exemplify broader concepts like intelligence or resilience.