📖 Meaning
Describes the towering, luxurious mansions of nobles and wealthy elites that seem to touch the clouds. Originally '甲第' referred to the residences of those enfeoffed as marquises, later broadening to mean any grand noble mansion; '连云' means reaching into the clouds. The idiom conveys both the height and splendor of such residences, as well as their great number across a city.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom traces to the Tang dynasty poet Cui Hao's work 'Chang'an Dao' (《长安道》), which includes the line '长安甲第高入云，谁家居住霍将军' — 'In Chang'an, noble mansions soar into the clouds; in whose house dwells General Huo?' The poem evokes the magnificent residences lining the Tang capital and recalls the glory of the famed Han general Huo Qubing, whose household epitomized aristocratic grandeur. Over time, '甲第连云' became a set phrase for grand noble estates clustered so tall and numerous they appear to join the sky.
💡 Example Usage
昔日京城之中，甲第连云，尽显权贵气派。
In the capital of old, grand mansions stretched skyward as far as the eye could see, displaying all the grandeur of the powerful and wealthy.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 甲第连云
- Pinyin: jiǎ dì lián yún
- Literal Translation: first-class, mansion, connect, clouds
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4