jiazhiliiancheng: 价值连城 - Priceless, Invaluable

• Keywords: 价值连城, jiazhi liancheng, priceless in Chinese, invaluable Chinese idiom, worth a fortune in Chinese, Chinese chengyu for something valuable, meaning of jiazhi liancheng, worth many cities idiom, 和氏璧.
• Summary: Learn the Chinese idiom (chengyu) 价值连城 (jiàzhí liánchéng), which literally means 'value connected to cities.' This powerful phrase is used to describe something that is priceless, invaluable, or worth a fortune, often applied to rare antiques, art, or even intangible things like talent or a brilliant idea. Discover the famous historical story behind this expression and learn how to use it in modern Chinese to convey immense, almost immeasurable, worth.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiàzhí liánchéng
• Part of Speech: Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ)
• HSK Level: Advanced (Chengyu)
• Concise Definition: An idiom describing something as being priceless, invaluable, or extremely precious.
• In a Nutshell: `价值连城` literally translates to “value that connects cities.” It comes from a famous story where a king offered 15 cities in exchange for a single piece of rare jade. Therefore, this idiom is used to describe an item or concept of such extraordinary rarity and value that its price is almost beyond measure, like a national treasure or a once-in-a-lifetime idea.

• 价 (jià): price, value.
• 值 (zhí): worth, value.
  • Together, 价值 (jiàzhí) is a common word that means “value” or “worth.”
• 连 (lián): to connect, to link, in a row.
• 城 (chéng): city, specifically a walled city in ancient times.

The characters combine to mean “[its] value connects [multiple] cities.” This paints a vivid picture of something so precious that its worth is not measured in money, but in land, power, and territory.

The soul of `价值连城` lies in the legendary tale of the 和氏璧 (Hé Shì Bì), or the “Jade Disc of He.” The story goes that a man named Bian He found a remarkable piece of raw jade and presented it to two successive kings, both of whom had their skeptical jewelers declare it a fake. As punishment for trying to fool the king, Bian He had both of his feet cut off. When a new king ascended the throne, he heard of Bian He weeping by his jade stone and, upon re-examining it, discovered it was the finest piece of jade ever seen. Later, this legendary jade disc fell into the hands of the state of Zhao. The ambitious king of the powerful state of Qin offered to trade 15 of his cities for it. This historical offer is the direct origin of the idiom, cementing the idea that some objects are so valuable they are worth more than entire cities. Comparison to Western Concepts: A common English equivalent is “worth a king's ransom” or “priceless.” However, `价值连城` is more specific and grandiose. “A king's ransom” is the price to save one person. `价值连城` is the price to acquire one object, and it's measured in land and political power, not just money. This reflects the deep cultural reverence in China for objects of historical significance, particularly jade, which symbolizes purity, nobility, and eternity.

`价值连城` is a formal and literary idiom. You would not use it to describe your new laptop, no matter how expensive it was. It implies rarity, historical or artistic significance, and a value that transcends mere money.

• Describing Antiques and Art: This is the most common usage. It's frequently used in museums, auction houses, and documentaries to describe masterworks, ancient artifacts, or rare gems.
  • “That Ming Dynasty vase is truly 价值连城.”
• Describing Intangible Assets: Figuratively, it can describe something non-physical that has immense potential or worth.
  • “His business plan is 价值连城; it could change the entire industry.”
  • “The advice my mentor gave me was 价值连城.”
• Formality and Connotation: Always used in a positive and admiring sense. It carries a serious, formal tone and is best suited for writing, formal speeches, or situations where you want to sound particularly eloquent and emphatic.

• Example 1:
  • 这件青花瓷瓶是博物馆的镇馆之宝，据说价值连城。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn qīnghuācípíng shì bówùguǎn de zhèn guǎn zhī bǎo, jùshuō jiàzhí liánchéng.
  • English: This blue and white porcelain vase is the museum's most prized treasure; it's said to be priceless.
  • Analysis: A classic usage, describing a historical artifact in a museum. “镇馆之宝 (zhèn guǎn zhī bǎo)” means “treasure that guards the museum,” reinforcing the immense value.
• Example 2:
  • 他意外地在旧书店里淘到了一本绝版古籍，真是价值连城。
  • Pinyin: Tā yìwài de zài jiù shūdiàn lǐ táo dàole yī běn juébǎn gǔjí, zhēnshi jiàzhí liánchéng.
  • English: He unexpectedly found a long-out-of-print ancient book in a used bookstore; it's truly worth a fortune.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used to describe a rare book, emphasizing its rarity and historical value.
• Example 3:
  • 对于一个创业公司来说，一个好的创意就价值连城。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú yīgè chuàngyè gōngsī lái shuō, yīgè hǎo de chuàngyì jiù jiàzhí liánchéng.
  • English: For a startup company, a good idea is invaluable.
  • Analysis: A perfect figurative example. The idea isn't literally worth cities, but its potential to generate wealth and success is immense.
• Example 4:
  • 这幅画是著名画家最后的杰作，在艺术市场上被认为价值连城。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fú huà shì zhùmíng huàjiā zuìhòu de jiézuò, zài yìshù shìchǎng shàng bèi rènwéi jiàzhí liánchéng.
  • English: This painting is the famous artist's final masterpiece and is considered priceless on the art market.
  • Analysis: Used to describe a unique piece of art. The context “final masterpiece” adds to the sense of rarity and value.
• Example 5:
  • 他手里拿着的，正是那块传说中价值连城的和氏璧。
  • Pinyin: Tā shǒu lǐ názhe de, zhèng shì nà kuài chuánshuō zhōng jiàzhí liánchéng de Hé Shì Bì.
  • English: What he held in his hand was precisely that legendary, priceless Jade Disc of He.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly references the idiom's origin story, using the idiom to describe the object that created it.
• Example 6:
  • 这颗钻石不仅巨大，而且完美无瑕，绝对价值连城。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kē zuànshí bùjǐn jùdà, érqiě wánměi wúxiá, juéduì jiàzhí liánchéng.
  • English: This diamond is not only huge but also flawless; it's absolutely worth a fortune.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates usage for precious stones. The words “huge” (巨大) and “flawless” (完美无瑕) justify the use of such a strong idiom.
• Example 7:
  • 爷爷留下的这块怀表虽然旧了，但在我们家人心中是价值连城的。
  • Pinyin: Yéyé liú xià de zhè kuài huáibiǎo suīrán jiùle, dàn zài wǒmen jiārén xīnzhōng shì jiàzhí liánchéng de.
  • English: Although this pocket watch my grandfather left behind is old, in our family's hearts, it is priceless.
  • Analysis: This is a slightly softer, more emotional usage. It's not about market value, but immense sentimental value, which is a valid figurative application.
• Example 8:
  • 他们的研究成果一旦公布，对整个医学界来说都将价值连城。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de yánjiū chéngguǒ yīdàn gōngbù, duì zhěnggè yīxué jiè lái shuō dōu jiāng jiàzhí liánchéng.
  • English: Once their research findings are published, they will be invaluable to the entire medical field.
  • Analysis: Shows the idiom being used for knowledge or a discovery. The value here is in its potential to save lives or advance science.
• Example 9:
  • 收藏家愿意用任何代价换取这张价值连城的邮票。
  • Pinyin: Shōucángjiā yuànyì yòng rènhé dàijià huànqǔ zhè zhāng jiàzhí liánchéng de yóupiào.
  • English: The collector is willing to pay any price to get this priceless stamp.
  • Analysis: Used for a collectible item. The phrase “any price” (任何代价) highlights the meaning of `价值连城`.
• Example 10:
  • 在那个年代，一份准确的地图对行军打仗的将军来说价值连城。
  • Pinyin: Zài nàge niándài, yī fèn zhǔnquè de dìtú duì xíngjūn dǎzhàng de jiāngjūn lái shuō jiàzhí liánchéng.
  • English: In that era, an accurate map was invaluable to a general on a military campaign.
  • Analysis: Contextualizes value. The map's value is situational but immense within that context, making this a fitting use of the idiom.

• Common Mistake 1: Overuse for merely “expensive” items. A new luxury car is expensive, but it is not `价值连城`. This idiom is reserved for things that are rare, unique, or have historical/artistic/intellectual significance. Using it for a mass-produced consumer product, however costly, sounds uneducated and hyperbolic.
  • Incorrect: 这台新电脑价值连城。(Zhè tái xīn diànnǎo jiàzhí liánchéng.) - This new computer is priceless. (Wrong - it's just expensive).
  • Correct: 这台新电脑价值不菲。(Zhè tái xīn diànnǎo jiàzhí bù fěi.) - This new computer is quite expensive.
• Common Mistake 2: Describing a person directly. You wouldn't say a person is `价值连城`. Instead, you would say their talent, knowledge, or spirit is `价值连城`. The idiom describes an object or an abstract quality.
  • Incorrect: 我们公司的CEO价值连城。(Wǒmen gōngsī de CEO jiàzhí liánchéng.) - Our company's CEO is priceless.
  • Correct: 我们CEO的领导才能是价值连城的。(Wǒmen CEO de lǐngdǎo cáinéng shì jiàzhí liánchéng de.) - Our CEO's leadership ability is invaluable.
• “False Friend” with “Priceless”: In English, “priceless” can be used humorously or for things of purely sentimental value (e.g., “The look on his face was priceless!”). `价值连城` is never used sarcastically or humorously. It is always a statement of serious, grand, and profound value.

• 无价之宝 (wú jià zhī bǎo) - “Priceless treasure.” A very close synonym to `价值连城`, often used interchangeably to describe a national treasure or cherished item.
• 价值不菲 (jiàzhí bù fěi) - “Of considerable value; not cheap.” A more realistic and less dramatic term for expensive goods like watches, cars, or designer bags.
• 一字千金 (yī zì qiān jīn) - “One word, a thousand pieces of gold.” An idiom that specifically describes the immense value of a piece of writing, calligraphy, or a well-chosen word.
• 和氏璧 (Hé Shì Bì) - “The Jade Disc of He.” The legendary artifact from the origin story of `价值连城`. Knowing this term provides deep context.
• 物有所值 (wù yǒu suǒ zhí) - “To be worth the price; good value for money.” The practical counterpart to `价值连城`. It's about getting what you paid for, while `价值连城` is about a value that defies payment.
• 稀世珍宝 (xī shì zhēn bǎo) - “A rare treasure of its generation.” Describes something exceptionally rare and precious, a strong synonym for something that is `价值连城`.