📖 Meaning
Describes something or someone so rare that it is hard to obtain. It is most often used to praise exceptional talent or precious items that are seldom found. The phrase conveys high esteem for things of uncommon value.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Han dynasty scholar Wang Chong's philosophical work Lunheng (论衡), in the chapter 'Chao Qi Pian' (超奇篇). Wang Chong compared outstanding talents to pearls and jade, arguing that just as these treasures 'cannot be obtained in abundance' because of their preciousness, truly exceptional individuals are equally rare. The original passage reads, 'Pearls and jade cannot be obtained in abundance, because they are precious.' Over the centuries, the expression became a standard way to describe rare talents or valuable objects that are difficult to come by.
💡 Example Usage
他是业内不可多得的人才，深受同行敬重。
He is a rare talent in the industry, deeply respected by his peers.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 不可多得
- Pinyin: bù kě duō dé
- Literal Translation: not, can, much, be obtained
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4