金玉满堂
金玉满堂 (jīn yù mǎn táng) literally means “gold and jade fill the hall” and expresses “may your home overflow with wealth”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: jin yu man tang, jin yu man tang,金玉满堂 meaning, 金玉满堂 in english
May your home overflow with wealth
Pronunciation: jīn yù mǎn táng Literal meaning: Gold and jade fill the hall
Origin & Usage
Today a wish for great wealth, but it began as a warning. Chapter 9 of the Daodejing (《老子》) reads: 'When gold and jade fill the hall, no one can guard them; wealth and rank joined with arrogance bring their own ruin' (金玉满堂，莫之能守；富贵而骄，自遗其咎). The chapter closes by saying that stepping back once the work is done is the way of Heaven. A second, complimentary sense appears in 《世说新语·赏誉》, where Wang Meng says of the conversationalist Liu Tan, 'Zhenchang is a hall full of gold and jade', meaning full of fine words and learning. As a New Year greeting the phrase keeps only the bright surface: a home rich in treasure, and by extension a thriving family. It is common on couplets and cards. Some people enjoy the irony that Laozi meant it as advice to hold wealth lightly.
Examples
English: "May your home be filled with gold and jade in the Year of the Goat."
Chinese: 祝您新春快乐，金玉满堂，阖家幸福！
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
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jīn fēng yù lù
Autumn wind and dew; autumn scenery
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登堂入室
dēng táng rù shì
Progress from basic to advanced
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金玉良言
jīn yù liáng yán
Valuable, lasting advice
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恭喜发财
gōng xǐ fā cái
Wishing you a prosperous New Year
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年年有余
nián nián yǒu yú
May you have more than enough, year after year
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岁岁平安
suì suì píng ān
May you stay safe and well every year
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大吉大利
dà jí dà lì
May everything be lucky and go smoothly
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花开富贵
huā kāi fù guì
May your life flourish in wealth and status
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 金玉满堂 mean in English?
金玉满堂 (jīn yù mǎn táng) literally translates to “Gold and jade fill the hall” and is used to express “May your home overflow with wealth”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 金玉满堂 used?
Situation: May your home be filled with gold and jade in the Year of the Goat.
What is the pinyin for 金玉满堂?
The pinyin pronunciation for 金玉满堂 is “jīn yù mǎn táng”.