📖 Meaning
Gold refers to a bell and jade refers to a chime stone. It is a metaphor for writing that is elegant and resonant in tone, combining strength and grace. The phrase describes prose whose rhythm and cadence flow beautifully.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Han dynasty scholar Ban Gu's 'Ode to the Eastern Capital' (东都赋), where he wrote 'jade-moist and gold-resounding' (玉润而金声). In ancient Chinese music, bells were made of bronze (likened to gold) and chime stones were made of jade; together they produced harmonious, resonant tones. Ban Gu used this musical imagery to praise the refined quality of literary expression. Over time the phrase became an established idiom for describing graceful, well-crafted writing.
💡 Example Usage
他的散文文笔流畅，读来金声玉润，令人回味无穷。
His prose flows smoothly, reading with an elegant and resonant beauty that lingers in the mind.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金声玉润
- Pinyin: jīn shēng yù rùn
- Literal Translation: gold, sound, jade, moist
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4