价值连城
- Literal
- worth a string of cities
- Figurative
- Priceless; so valuable it is worth a fortune. Said of an object or a work of art, and figuratively of anything (talent, information, an opportunity) of extraordinary worth.
Where does 价值连城 come from?
In the time of King Huiwen of Zhao, the state of Zhao acquired a magnificent jade, the He clan's disc (和氏璧). King Zhao of Qin, hearing of it, offered fifteen cities in exchange, so the jewel seemed worth whole cities joined together. Fearing Qin would seize the jade and give nothing, Zhao sent the shrewd minister Lin Xiangru to deliver it. Seeing that the king of Qin had no real intention of handing over the cities, Lin Xiangru cleverly recovered the jade and brought it back to Zhao untouched, a feat that also gave rise to the saying 完璧归赵. The story is preserved in Sima Qian's 《史记》.
Source (出处): 《史记·廉颇蔺相如列传》
How is 价值连城 used? Two examples
- 这幅古画是价值连城的国宝，博物馆从来不肯外借。
This ancient painting is a priceless national treasure; the museum never lends it out.
- 他手里的这条情报价值连城，谁都想得到它。
The piece of intelligence he holds is priceless; everyone wants to get hold of it.
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