买椟还珠 — “To buy the casket and return the pearls”
买椟还珠 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to buy the casket and return the pearls”. To show poor judgment by valuing the superficial over the essential; to make a foolish choice. Literally, “Buy the casket, return the pearl”.
买椟还珠 Pronunciation and Pinyin
买椟还珠 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 买椟还珠
Origin and Story of 买椟还珠
During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a merchant from the State of Chu who specialized in selling jewelry. One day, he went to the State of Qi to peddle his wares.
To ensure good business and popular sales, he specifically used precious wood to create many small boxes. He meticulously carved and decorated these boxes, making them very exquisite and beautiful, and even made them emit a fragrant scent. Then, he placed the jewels inside these boxes.
A man from the State of Zheng saw the jewel box, which was both refined and attractive. After inquiring about the price, he bought one. He then opened the box, took out the precious jewel, and returned it to the merchant.
Idioms Related to 买椟还珠
Synonyms of 买椟还珠
Antonyms of 买椟还珠
More idioms starting with 买
- mǎi买shàng上gào告xià下Bribe superiors and influence subordinates
- mǎi买shàng上zhǔ嘱xià下bribe superiors and solicit subordinates
- mǎi买dōng东mǎi买xī西go shopping for various items
- mǎi买mài卖bù不chéng成rén仁yì义zài在Goodwill remains even if business fails
- mǎi买guān官yù鬻jué爵buy and sell official posts
- mǎi买jué爵fàn贩guān官buy and sell official posts
- mǎi买niú牛mài卖jiàn剑turn over a new leaf
- mǎi买niú牛xī息gē戈Lay down arms, live peacefully
- mǎi买lí犁mài卖jiàn剑lay down arms and farm
- mǎi买dú犊mài卖dāo刀abandon violence for peaceful life
- mǎi买wáng王dé得yáng羊Aim for superior, get lesser imitation
- mǎi买tián田yáng阳xiàn羡resign and retire to seclusion
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Open the tool →Questions about 买椟还珠
What does 买椟还珠 mean?
买椟还珠 (mǎi dú huán zhū) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to buy the casket and return the pearls”.
How do you pronounce 买椟还珠?
买椟还珠 is pronounced mǎi dú huán zhū in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 买椟还珠 literally mean?
Literally, 买椟还珠 means “Buy the casket, return the pearl”. It is used to mean “to buy the casket and return the pearls”.
Where does 买椟还珠 come from?
买椟还珠 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 买椟还珠?
椟：木匣；珠：珍珠。买下木匣，退还了珍珠。比喻没有眼力，取舍不当。