挥金如土

Pronunciation: huī jīn rú tǔ Literal meaning: Spend gold like dirt

Origin & Usage

The idiom 挥金如土 (huī jīn rú tǔ) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe someone who spends money with reckless abandon, treating it as if it were mere dirt. This expression is derived from the Northern Song Dynasty, specifically from a text by Mao Pang (毛滂) in his 'Funeral Oration for Zheng Tinghui' (祭郑庭诲文). Zheng Tinghui was known for his generous nature and indifference to wealth, often spending money freely without concern. The idiom breaks down into 挥 (huī, to wield or scatter), 金 (jīn, gold), 如 (rú, like), and 土 (tǔ, earth or soil). In modern usage, it carries a negative connotation, suggesting wasteful extravagance and a lack of financial prudence.

Examples

English: "He spends money so freely that it seems he doesn't value it at all."

Chinese: 他花钱挥金如土，完全不在乎。