锦衣玉食
jǐn yī yù shí
fine clothes and choice food; a life of luxury
Character by character
锦jǐn
brocade
brocade
衣yī
clothes
clothes
玉yù
jade
jade
食shí
food
food
Example
他从小锦衣玉食，从来没为钱发过愁。
He grew up in the lap of luxury and never had to worry about money.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Describes the life of the rich, often in 过着锦衣玉食的生活; a little critical when set against hardship (锦衣玉食的少爷不懂穷人的苦). 锦 is brocade, 玉食 food as precious as jade.
Learn this in Lesson 175 · HSK 7–9: 马王堆 (The tombs of Mawangdui)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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