纸上富贵
纸上富贵 (zhǐ shàng fù guì) literally means “wealth on paper only” and expresses “success in theory not reality”. 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: zhi shang fu gui, zhi shang fu gui,纸上富贵 meaning, 纸上富贵 in english
Success in theory not reality
Pronunciation: zhǐ shàng fù guì
Literal meaning: Wealth on paper only
Origin & Usage
This illusory idiom describes wealth and status (富贵) existing only on paper (纸上), originating from Ming Dynasty commercial critiques. It first described merchants who maintained elaborate account books showing theoretical profits while actually struggling financially. The specific reference to paper connected to both accounting records and the examination system, where scholastic achievement on paper didn't always translate to practical capability. During the Qing Dynasty, it expanded to describe any disconnection between documented prosperity and actual circumstances. Modern usage identifies situations where theoretical or reported success masks actual performance issues, particularly in business and professional contexts where impressive documentation often substitutes for genuine accomplishment.
When to Use
Situation: The entrepreneur's business looked impressive in presentations but generated little actual revenue
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 纸上富贵 mean in English?
纸上富贵 (zhǐ shàng fù guì) literally translates to “Wealth on paper only” and is used to express “Success in theory not reality”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 纸上富贵 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving success in theory not reality.
What is the pinyin for 纸上富贵?
The pinyin pronunciation for 纸上富贵 is “zhǐ shàng fù guì”.