金风玉露
金风玉露 (jīn fēng yù lù) literally means “golden wind jade dew” and expresses “perfect timing and conditions”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: jin feng yu lu, jin feng yu lu,金风玉露 meaning, 金风玉露 in english
Perfect timing and conditions
Pronunciation: jīn fēng yù lù
Literal meaning: Golden wind jade dew
Origin & Usage
This poetic idiom pairs golden (金) autumn wind (风) with jade-like (玉) dew (露), dating from Tang Dynasty nature poetry. It captures the crystalline clarity of fall mornings when the first cool breezes meet with early dew, traditionally considered the most beautiful moments of the year. The combination of precious materials (gold and jade) with natural phenomena created a metaphor for perfect timing and natural harmony. Modern usage often describes ideal moments or perfect conditions, particularly those that arise from natural timing rather than forced arrangement. It appears frequently in literature and art celebrating fleeting moments of natural beauty.
Examples
English: "The market conditions were ideal for launching the new product"
Chinese: 市场条件非常适合推出新产品
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 金风玉露 mean in English?
金风玉露 (jīn fēng yù lù) literally translates to “Golden wind jade dew” and is used to express “Perfect timing and conditions”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 金风玉露 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving perfect timing and conditions.
What is the pinyin for 金风玉露?
The pinyin pronunciation for 金风玉露 is “jīn fēng yù lù”.