如数家珍
如数家珍 (rú shǔ jiā zhēn) literally means “count like family treasures” and expresses “know something thoroughly”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: ru shu jia zhen, ru shu jia zhen,如数家珍 meaning, 如数家珍 in english
Know something thoroughly
Pronunciation: rú shǔ jiā zhēn Literal meaning: Count like family treasures
Origin & Usage
This idiom captures the intimate knowledge of counting (数) family (家) treasures (珍) with perfect familiarity. It originated from descriptions of merchant families during the Song Dynasty, who knew their inventory in precise detail. The metaphor gained broader cultural significance as scholars applied it to mastery of classical texts. Historical accounts show how this level of familiarity marked true expertise in traditional Chinese education. Contemporary usage describes comprehensive knowledge of any subject, suggesting both depth of understanding and personal investment. It implies that true mastery comes from treating knowledge as precious as family heirlooms.
Examples
English: "The historian discussed ancient artifacts with intimate familiarity"
Chinese: 这位历史学家谈论古代文物如数家珍
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
融会贯通
róng huì guàn tōng
Master something completely
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学海无涯
xué hǎi wú yá
Learning is limitless
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知行合一
zhī xíng hé yī
Practice what you know
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举一反三
jǔ yī fǎn sān
Learn many from one example
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温故知新
wēn gù zhī xīn
Learn new through studying old
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画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
Add crucial finishing touch
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读万卷书
dú wàn juǎn shū
Read extensively for knowledge
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抛砖引玉
pāo zhuān yǐn yù
Offer modest view to inspire better
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 如数家珍 mean in English?
如数家珍 (rú shǔ jiā zhēn) literally translates to “Count like family treasures” and is used to express “Know something thoroughly”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 如数家珍 used?
Situation: The historian discussed ancient artifacts with intimate familiarity
What is the pinyin for 如数家珍?
The pinyin pronunciation for 如数家珍 is “rú shǔ jiā zhēn”.