📖 Meaning
Describes writing or speech with a resonant, melodious rhythm that is extraordinary and exceptional. The phrase likens the beauty of literary language to the ringing of gold and the delicate falling of jade. It is used to praise prose or poetry of outstanding sonic and literary quality.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Qing dynasty work 'Gu Sheng' (Remnants of the Wine Cup) by Niu Xiu, specifically the chapter 'Qiao Yin' (The Woodcutter Hermit). In the story, a scholar named Cui showed his poetry collection 'Qiao Yin Jin Yong' (Recent Verses of the Woodcutter Hermit) to his friend Huang. Upon reading it, Huang was so struck by the beauty of the verses that he exclaimed, 'This is truly the sound of clinking gold and floating jade!' The phrase thus became a metaphor for literary writing of exceptional melodic quality.
💡 Example Usage
这篇散文铿金霏玉，读来令人回味无穷。
This essay resonates with the beauty of clinking gold and falling jade, leaving one with an endless aftertaste upon reading.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 铿金霏玉
- Pinyin: kēng jīn fēi yù
- Literal Translation: clinking gold, falling jade
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4