We strive to offer you free Chinese learning resources. This series focuses on idioms and proverbs, which are rich in meaning and can be used in various situations. Today’s idiom is 「瑕不掩瑜」, and its meaning and usage are explained below.
The idiom 「瑕不掩瑜」 we’re featuring is explained below, showcasing its meaning and usage.
瑕: spots on jade, a metaphor for shortcomings; 顏: to cover; 優: the luster of jade, a metaphor for advantages. Metaphorically, shortcomings cannot cover up advantages, shortcomings are secondary, advantages are primary.
The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :
xiá bù yǎn yú
while its Cantonese pinyin is :
ha4 bat1 yim2 yu4
The sheer number of Chinese idioms and their varied meanings make them fascinating to study. Let these materials assist you as you advance your Chinese skills and understanding.
