明珠生蚌 — “Refers to a brilliant father begetting equally brilliant sons”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 明珠生蚌?

比喻出色的父亲生出出色的儿子

明珠生蚌 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “refers to a brilliant father begetting equally brilliant sons”. Excellent offspring from an excellent parent.

Frequency

明珠生蚌 Pronunciation and Pinyin

明珠生蚌 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
明	míng	8	bright, clear, understand
珠	zhū	10	Pearl or bead
生	shēng	5	to be born, grow, or live
蚌	bàng	10	freshwater mollusk or pearl

Example Sentence with 明珠生蚌

他们家的兄弟俩都考上了名牌大学，真是明珠生蚌，令人称羡。

Both brothers in their family got into prestigious universities, truly a case of brilliant sons from a brilliant father, which is admirable.

Origin and Story of 明珠生蚌

Towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Kong Rong had two friends with excellent sons: the elder, Wei Kang (courtesy name Yuanjiang), and the younger, Wei Dan (courtesy name Zhongjiang). Kong Rong held both in high regard.

In a letter to their father, he wrote: "Yuanjiang visited the other day; he possesses profound talent, shining intelligence, elegant demeanor, and great perseverance, truly an instrument for the world.

Zhongjiang visited yesterday; he is articulate, diligent, and sincere, a master to protect the family.

I didn't expect that a pair of bright pearls would emerge from an old clam so closely together."