📖 Meaning
Literally 'stealing fragrance and pilfering jade,' this idiom is a metaphor for seducing or enticing women into illicit affairs. It refers to secret romantic or sexual liaisons, often involving stealth and cunning. The phrase evokes the imagery of covertly obtaining something precious and forbidden.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the 'Book of Jin' (《晋书·贾充传》), which records that during the Jin dynasty, the Western Regions presented a wondrous incense whose fragrance would linger on a person for a full month. Emperor Wu treasured it and only bestowed it upon Jia Chong and Grand Marshal Chen Qian. Jia Chong's daughter secretly stole some of the precious incense and gave it to Han Shou, with whom she was having a clandestine affair. When Jia Chong's subordinates noticed the extraordinary fragrance on Han Shou during gatherings, they reported it to Jia Chong, thus exposing the secret relationship. Over time, 'stealing fragrance' combined with 'pilfering jade' to form the complete idiom representing secret romantic conquests.
💡 Example Usage
这纨绔子弟不学无术，整日只知偷香窃玉，惹是生非。
This idle young scion had no interest in learning, spending his days only scheming to seduce women and causing trouble.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 偷香窃玉
- Pinyin: tōu xiāng qiè yù
- Literal Translation: steal, fragrance, pilfer, jade
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4