如数家珍
如数家珍 (rú shǔ jiā zhēn) literally means “count like family treasures” and expresses “know something thoroughly”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: ru shu jia zhen, ru shu jia zhen,如数家珍 meaning, 如数家珍 in english
Know something thoroughly
Pronunciation: rú shǔ jiā zhēn Literal meaning: Count like family treasures
Origin & Usage
To recite something as though counting (数) the treasures (珍) of one's own household (家) — the reading is shǔ, to enumerate, not shù. The comparison is exact about what kind of knowledge is meant: not that the person has studied the subject but that they have lived with it, so the details come without effort and in order. Specialists reeling off figures; fans on their own subject. Affection is always implied as well as command.
Examples
English: "The historian discussed ancient artifacts with intimate familiarity"
Chinese: 这位历史学家谈论古代文物如数家珍
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
四海为家
sì hǎi wéi jiā
At home anywhere
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滥竽充数
làn yú chōng shù
Hide incompetence in a crowd
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归根到底
guī gēn dào dǐ
Fundamentally or in the final analysis
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白手起家
bái shǒu qǐ jiā
Build up from nothing; self-made
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不计其数
bù jì qí shù
Innumerable
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根深蒂固
gēn shēn dì gù
Deeply entrenched and difficult to change
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Proportionate to what it merits
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栩栩如生
xǔ xǔ rú shēng
Lifelike; vividly realistic
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 如数家珍 mean in English?
如数家珍 (rú shǔ jiā zhēn) literally translates to “Count like family treasures” and is used to express “Know something thoroughly”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 如数家珍 used?
Situation: The historian discussed ancient artifacts with intimate familiarity
What is the pinyin for 如数家珍?
The pinyin pronunciation for 如数家珍 is “rú shǔ jiā zhēn”.