📖 Meaning
To possess both wealth and influence. It describes a person or family that is rich and powerful, often using such standing to assert dominance in society. It is synonymous with the phrase 有钱有势.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from Volume 20 of 'Chuke Pai'an Jingqi' (初刻拍案惊奇), a collection of vernacular short stories written by the Ming dynasty author Ling Mengchu (凌濛初). The original passage observes that when one side has both wealth and power, those who chase after riches and status naturally flock toward that side. It thus illustrates how worldly success attracts followers in traditional Chinese society.
💡 Example Usage
他仗着家有财有势，欺压乡里，人人侧目。
Relying on his family's wealth and power, he bullied the locals until everyone could only glare in silent resentment.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 有财有势
- Pinyin: yǒu cái yǒu shì
- Literal Translation: have, wealth, have, power
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4