金碧辉煌

Pronunciation: jīn bì huī huáng Literal meaning: Gold and jade shine brightly

Origin & Usage

The idiom 金碧辉煌 (jīn bì huī huáng) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe something that is magnificently splendid and resplendent. The characters 金 (jīn) and 碧 (bì) refer to gold and jade, respectively, while 辉煌 (huī huáng) means shining brightly. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a scene or object that is dazzlingly beautiful, often used to describe palaces, temples, or other grand structures. In modern usage, this idiom extends beyond physical descriptions to convey the idea of something being extraordinarily impressive or splendid in a metaphorical sense, such as a brilliant career or a glorious achievement.

Examples

English: "The palace was adorned with golden decorations, reflecting its grandeur."

Chinese: 宫殿装饰着金色的装饰，反映出它的宏伟。