📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to a noble and beautiful woman, often one cherished in luxurious surroundings. The imagery combines a golden mansion with a lovely lady, evoking a woman of both high status and striking beauty.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom draws upon the famous Western Han Dynasty anecdote in which the young Liu Che (later Emperor Wu of Han) told his aunt Princess Liu Piao that he would 'build a golden house to keep' (金屋藏娇) her daughter Chen Jiao if they married. The phrase combines this golden-house imagery with 娇娘 (a beautiful lady) to describe a woman who is both noble and beautiful, typically one treasured in opulent surroundings. There is no single definitive classical source for this exact four-character form.
💡 Example Usage
她出身名门，容貌出众，堪称金屋娇娘。
Born into a prominent family and blessed with outstanding beauty, she can truly be called a golden-house beauty.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金屋娇娘
- Pinyin: jīn wū jiāo niáng
- Literal Translation: gold, house, tender, lady
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4