📖 Meaning
Refers to outstanding and distinguished scholars serving at the imperial court. The term combines '金闺' (golden court, denoting the imperial palace or high government offices) with '国士' (national-level talents). It conveys high esteem for someone's exceptional abilities and esteemed position in service to the state.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Qing dynasty poet Gong Zizhen's (龚自珍) collection '已亥杂诗' (Poems of the Year Ji Hai), poem number 260. The verse reads '勉求玉体长生诀，留报金闺国士知' — seeking the secret of longevity, to share with the distinguished court scholars. Gong Zizhen was a prominent late-Qing intellectual renowned for his reformist ideas and sharp social commentary. The phrase '金闺国士' here refers to the talented scholars at the imperial court whom the poet wished to inform of his findings.
💡 Example Usage
他才华横溢，被誉为金闺国士，深受朝廷器重。
Endowed with extraordinary talent, he was regarded as a distinguished court scholar and was highly valued by the imperial government.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金闺国士
- Pinyin: jīn guī guó shì
- Literal Translation: golden, court, national, scholar
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4