📖 Meaning
A metaphor for writing or essays of outstanding quality that always meet the mark. It compares brilliant prose to well-cast bronze coins that pass every round of inspection flawlessly. The idiom praises literary talent of the highest caliber.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'New Book of Tang, Biography of Zhang Jian' (《新唐书·张荐传》). The official Yuan Banqian (员半千) repeatedly praised the literary writings of Zhang Zhuo (张鷟) before high-ranking officials, likening them to bronze coins that would pass selection ten thousand times out of ten thousand. As a result, Zhang Zhuo earned the nickname 'Bronze Coin Scholar' (青钱学士). The phrase thus became a byword for writing of exceptional, unfailing excellence.
💡 Example Usage
他的文章堪称青钱万选，每次科举都名列前茅。
His essays are like flawless bronze coins, consistently placing at the top of every imperial examination.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 青钱万选
- Pinyin: qīng qián wàn xuǎn
- Literal Translation: green coin, ten thousand, select
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4