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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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
This idiom captures the intimate knowledge of counting (数) family (家) treasures (珍) with perfect familiarity. It originated from descriptions of merchant families during the Song Dynasty, who knew their inventory in precise detail. The metaphor gained broader cultural significance as scholars applied it to mastery of classical texts. Historical accounts show how this level of familiarity marked true expertise in traditional Chinese education. Contemporary usage describes comprehensive knowledge of any subject, suggesting both depth of understanding and personal investment. It implies that true mastery comes from treating knowledge as precious as family heirlooms.
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
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
Learn more →
驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
Learn more →
轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
Learn more →
游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
Learn more →
成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
Learn more →
恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
Learn more →
恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
Learn more →
适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
Learn more →
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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving know something thoroughly.
What is the pinyin for 如数家珍?
The pinyin pronunciation for 如数家珍 is “rú shǔ jiā zhēn”.