锦上添花

Pronunciation: jǐn shàng tiān huā Literal meaning: Add flowers to brocade

Origin & Usage

The idiom 锦上添花 (jǐn shàng tiān huā) originates from a story involving Xue Rengui during the Tang Dynasty. Xue Rengui, once impoverished, was aided by Wang Maosheng, who provided him with necessities. Later, Xue Rengui achieved great success and was ennobled as the King of Two Liao. When local officials and gentry presented him with gifts, he remarked that their gestures were like 'adding flowers to brocade' (锦, brocade; 花, flower), emphasizing that Wang Maosheng's help during his hardships was far more valuable. This idiom highlights the idea that assistance during difficult times (雪中送炭, 'sending charcoal in snow') is more precious than embellishments during prosperity. In modern usage, it describes enhancing something already beautiful or successful.

Examples

English: "The new features in the app are just the icing on the cake."

Chinese: 这个应用程序的新功能简直是锦上添花。