📖 Meaning
Literally 'surrounded by jade and encircled by pearls.' It describes the luxurious, glittering adornments worn by women of wealthy families. By extension, it depicts a scene where a person is attended by a great number of beautifully dressed maidservants or companions.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Chapter 46 of 'Jin Ping Mei Cihua' (《金瓶梅词话》), a Ming dynasty vernacular novel attributed to Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng (兰陵笑笑生). In the cited passage, the author contrasts the sound of elegant music ('a chorus of phoenix flutes and jade pipes') with the sight of splendidly jeweled women ('a cluster surrounded by emerald and pearls'). The line vividly captures the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy merchant household around which the novel revolves.
💡 Example Usage
她出席宴会时翠围珠绕，气派非凡。
She attended the banquet surrounded by jade and pearls, radiating extraordinary grandeur.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 翠围珠绕
- Pinyin: cuì wéi zhū rào
- Literal Translation: jadeite, surround, pearl, twine
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4