金龟换酒 — “To pawn one's valuable official insignia (a golden tortoise) for wine”
金龟换酒 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to pawn one's valuable official insignia (a golden tortoise) for wine”. Symbolizing an unrestrained, generous, and sometimes indulgent disposition, often associated with enjoying drinks with friends. Literally, “golden tortoise for wine”.
金龟换酒 Pronunciation and Pinyin
金龟换酒 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 金龟换酒
Origin and Story of 金龟换酒
During the Tang Dynasty, He Zhizhang, the Imperial Secretary, heard that Li Bai, then in his twenties, had arrived in Chang'an. Despite his own advanced age and high status, He Zhizhang personally visited Li Bai at his inn.
Li Bai presented his poem 'The Hard Road to Shu' (蜀道难). After reading it, He Zhizhang was deeply impressed and invited Li Bai to a wine house for a meal.
Forgetting to bring money, He Zhizhang took off the golden tortoise ornament, a royal gift, and gave it to the establishment to exchange for wine to entertain Li Bai.
Idioms Related to 金龟换酒
Synonyms of 金龟换酒
More idioms starting with 金
- jīn金bù不huàn换Priceless; not to be exchanged for gold
- jīn金dān丹huàn换gǔ骨profound artistic transformation
- jīn金wū乌xī西zhuì坠，，yù玉tù兔dōng东shēng升day turns to night
- jīn金shū书tiě铁quàn券Emperor's inviolable pledge of perpetual privilege
- jīn金rén人sān三jiān缄remain silent due to apprehension
- jīn金rén人zhī之zhēn箴remain silent out of caution
- jīn金rén人zhī之jiān缄Keep silent due to apprehension
- jīn金rén人jiān缄kǒu口speak cautiously or remain silent
- jīn金guāng光càn灿làn烂Dazzlingly brilliant golden light
- jīn金guāng光gài盖dì地Money reigns supreme
- jīn金guāng光shǎn闪shǎn闪Glittering with golden light
- jīn金lán兰zhī之jiāo交strong, intimate friendship
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Open the tool →Questions about 金龟换酒
What does 金龟换酒 mean?
金龟换酒 (jīn guī huàn jiǔ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to pawn one's valuable official insignia (a golden tortoise) for wine”.
How do you pronounce 金龟换酒?
金龟换酒 is pronounced jīn guī huàn jiǔ in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 金龟换酒 literally mean?
Literally, 金龟换酒 means “golden tortoise for wine”. It is used to mean “to pawn one's valuable official insignia (a golden tortoise) for wine”.
Where does 金龟换酒 come from?
金龟换酒 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 金龟换酒?
金龟：袋名，唐代官员的一种佩饰。解下金龟换美酒。形容为人豁达，恣情纵酒。