每天成语
background texture
All Idioms

金玉良言

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: jīn yù liáng yán
  • English Translation: Golden words of wisdom (invaluable advice)
  • Idiom Composition: 「金」（Gold; used metaphorically to mean extremely valuable or precious.）＋「玉」（Jade; a precious gem symbolizing noble, flawless, and treasured qualities.）＋「良」（Good, sound, beneficial, or wholesome.）＋「言」（Words, advice, remarks, or teachings.）
  • Meaning: Advice or teachings that are as precious and beneficial as gold and jade. It is a highly commendatory term used with respect and gratitude to describe insightful counsel, maxims, or life lessons offered by mentors, elders, or experienced leaders.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「金玉良言」 contains the following nuances:

  • Metaphor of Inestimable Value: By pairing gold (金) with jade (玉)—the two ultimate cultural symbols of enduring treasure and nobility in ancient China—the idiom emphasizes that this advice is not mere casual opinion, but a rare and timeless guiding light.
  • Restricted to Moral Guidance and Practical Lessons: The idiom is never used for trivial chit-chat or flattery. It applies strictly to instructive feedback, cautionary words, or constructive life lessons that protect the listener from missteps and foster personal growth.
  • Tone of Respect and Modesty: Because of its deeply deferential nuance, it is almost exclusively used by the listener to show genuine respect and receptive humility toward someone else's wisdom, frequently co-occurring with collocations like 铭记在心 (míng jì zài xīn, to engrave on one's heart).

3. Usage

「金玉良言」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Expressing Gratitude for Guidance: Used when thanking a mentor, elder, or boss for crucial advice that prevents mistakes or guides future decisions.
    • Example:「您的这番话真是金玉良言，让我少走了很多弯路。」
      （What you just said is truly invaluable advice that has saved me from taking many wrong turns.)
  • Praising Hard-Won Experience: Used to describe lessons and insights distilled from decades of real-world experience, recommending them to newcomers.
    • Example:「老厂长的经验之谈句句都是金玉良言，值得新员工好好揣摩。」
      （Every piece of experience shared by the former factory director is pure gold, well worth the careful reflection of our new employees.)
  • Formal Addresses and Ceremonies: Commonly cited in commencement speeches, farewell parties, or inaugural ceremonies when receiving parting advice.
    • Example:「在毕业典礼上，校长赠予大家的金玉良言将伴随我们一生。」
      （The words of wisdom given to us by the principal at commencement will stay with us for the rest of our lives.)

Additional Examples:

  1. 面对困境时，他想起了导师当年的金玉良言，心中重新燃起了希望。
    （When facing adversity, he recalled his mentor's pearls of wisdom from years ago, and hope was rekindled in his heart.）
  2. 长辈的规劝或许有些刺耳，但仔细想想都是金玉良言。
    （The elders' admonitions might sound a bit harsh, but upon reflection, they are all golden words of advice.）
  3. 这篇文章总结的职场经验可谓金玉良言，读来受益匪浅。
    （The workplace insights summarized in this article are truly priceless counsel, and reading them was immensely rewarding.）
  4. 这些金玉良言我一定铭记在心，绝不敢轻易忘记。
    （I will definitely take these golden teachings to heart and never lightly forget them.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Origin and Textual Heritage: This idiom traces its roots to the classic Yuan dynasty drama The Story of the Western Wing (西厢记) by Wang Shifu (王实甫), where a character expresses gratitude with '小姐金玉之言，小生一一铭之肺腑' ('Your Ladyship's words, as precious as gold and jade, I have engraved one by one upon my heart'). Over time, '金玉之言' evolved into the four-character idiom 金玉良言 (jīn yù liáng yán).
  • Pragmatics and Etiquette: Because calling your own advice 'gold and jade' would sound arrogant and boastful, native speakers never apply this idiom to their own suggestions. Instead, it is reserved as an act of politeness and high esteem toward mentors, seniors, or revered literature.
  • Modern Applications: While having a classical and formal tone, the idiom is widely used across professional environments, business mentorship, graduation ceremonies, and book reviews whenever someone highlights advice of exceptional practical or moral value.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

金玉良言 (jīn yù liáng yán) paints the image of words precious as gold and jade, referring to invaluable, sound advice or priceless life lessons. Used as an expression of deep respect and appreciation, it almost always praises another person's counsel rather than one's own, and frequently pairs with phrases indicating that one will take the wisdom to heart.

'造句' Feature Usage Guide

造句练习📝

Try creating sentences using '金玉良言'!

0/50