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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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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
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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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving know something thoroughly.
What is the pinyin for 如数家珍?
The pinyin pronunciation for 如数家珍 is “rú shǔ jiā zhēn”.