wújiàzhībǎo: 无价之宝 - Priceless Treasure, Invaluable Gem

• Keywords: wujiazhibao, 无价之宝, priceless treasure in Chinese, invaluable Chinese idiom, chengyu for something precious, Chinese four-character idiom, Chinese proverbs, what does wujiazhibao mean
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 无价之宝 (wújiàzhībǎo), a powerful Chinese idiom (chengyu) that translates to “priceless treasure.” This term goes beyond mere monetary value, describing people, objects, or concepts that are so precious they are considered irreplaceable. Discover how it's used to talk about everything from family heirlooms and national artifacts to a child's love and a mentor's advice.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wújiàzhībǎo
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (四字成语), Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (This is a common idiom learned outside of the standard HSK vocabulary lists).
• Concise Definition: An invaluable treasure that is beyond any price.
• In a Nutshell: 无价之宝 (wújiàzhībǎo) describes something so fundamentally valuable that you can't put a price tag on it. It’s not just “expensive”; it's irreplaceable. Think of a child's drawing kept for decades, a piece of life-changing advice, or a nation's most sacred cultural artifact. The term evokes a deep sense of emotional, cultural, or personal worth that transcends money entirely.

• 无 (wú): Not, without, no. A negative prefix.
• 价 (jià): Price, value, cost.
• 之 (zhī): A classical grammatical particle that indicates possession, similar to 的 (de) or 's in English. It adds a literary and formal feel.
• 宝 (bǎo): Treasure, gem, precious object.

These characters combine literally to mean “a treasure of no price” or “without-price's-treasure.” The structure itself elegantly communicates the idea that the item's value cannot be measured in currency.

In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on value that exists outside of the material and commercial spheres. 无价之宝 is a linguistic embodiment of this value system. While a new car or a luxury watch might be described as `很贵 (hěn guì)` (very expensive), they would rarely be called a `无价之宝`. This term is reserved for things with profound significance. This concept can be contrasted with the Western idea of “priceless” as often used in marketing (e.g., the Mastercard “Priceless” campaign). In American culture, “priceless” can describe a funny, ephemeral moment. In Chinese culture, 无价之宝 carries more weight and permanence. It often connects to core cultural values like:

• Family (家): A child is the ultimate `无价之宝` to their parents. A family heirloom, regardless of its material worth, can also be one.
• Knowledge & Wisdom (知识/智慧): The guidance of a respected teacher or elder is a `无价之宝`.
• Heritage (遗产): Ancient artifacts in a museum or historical sites are considered the `无价之宝` of the nation.
• Health & Time (健康/时间): These abstract concepts are frequently described as priceless treasures that, once lost, can never be bought back.

无价之宝 is a formal and heartfelt term. It's used to express deep appreciation and place a high, non-material value on something.

• In Conversation: It is most often used to describe people or abstract concepts. A parent might say, “我的孩子是我的无价之宝” (My child is my priceless treasure). It conveys deep, sincere love.
• In Formal Settings: A museum director describing a famous artifact, or a CEO praising a foundational employee's contribution, might use this term to add weight and gravitas to their words.
• On Social Media: While less common in casual posts, it might be used in a heartfelt tribute to a grandparent, a reflection on the value of friendship, or a post celebrating a national cultural achievement.

Its connotation is overwhelmingly positive and sincere. Using it lightly or sarcastically would sound very strange.

• Example 1:
  • 对我来说，家人的爱是真正的无价之宝。
  • Pinyin: Duì wǒ lái shuō, jiārén de ài shì zhēnzhèng de wújiàzhībǎo.
  • English: For me, the love of my family is a true priceless treasure.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the term's use for abstract emotional concepts, a very common application.
• Example 2:
  • 这件古代瓷器是国家博物馆的无价之宝。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn gǔdài cíqì shì guójiā bówùguǎn de wújiàzhībǎo.
  • English: This ancient piece of porcelain is a priceless treasure of the national museum.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used for a tangible object of immense cultural and historical significance.
• Example 3:
  • 老师给我的建议是无价之宝，改变了我的一生。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī gěi wǒ de jiànyì shì wújiàzhībǎo, gǎibiànle wǒ de yīshēng.
  • English: The advice my teacher gave me was a priceless treasure; it changed my life.
  • Analysis: This shows how intangible things like advice or knowledge can be described with this powerful idiom.
• Example 4:
  • 健康是无价之宝，我们应该好好珍惜。
  • Pinyin: Jiànkāng shì wújiàzhībǎo, wǒmen yīnggāi hǎohǎo zhēnxī.
  • English: Health is a priceless treasure; we should cherish it well.
  • Analysis: A common saying that frames a universal concept (health) within this specific cultural term.
• Example 5:
  • 那个老兵保存的战时日记，对历史学家来说是无价之宝。
  • Pinyin: Nàge lǎobīng bǎocún de zhànshí rìjì, duì lìshǐ xuéjiā lái shuō shì wújiàzhībǎo.
  • English: The wartime diary that the old veteran saved is a priceless treasure for historians.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates that value is contextual. The diary has immense historical value, making it a `无价之宝` to a specific group.
• Example 6:
  • 在父母眼中，每个孩子都是独一无二的无价之宝。
  • Pinyin: Zài fùmǔ yǎnzhōng, měi gè háizi dōu shì dúyīwú'èr de wújiàzhībǎo.
  • English: In the eyes of parents, every child is a unique, priceless treasure.
  • Analysis: The phrase `独一无二` (dúyīwú'èr - unique) is often paired with `无价之宝` to emphasize irreplaceability.
• Example 7:
  • 真正的友谊是无价之宝，比金钱重要得多。
  • Pinyin: Zhēnzhèng de yǒuyì shì wújiàzhībǎo, bǐ jīnqián zhòngyào dé duō.
  • English: True friendship is a priceless treasure, much more important than money.
  • Analysis: A classic example contrasting non-material value (friendship) with material wealth (money).
• Example 8:
  • 对于一个创业公司来说，一个有创造力的团队就是无价之宝。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú yīgè chuàngyè gōngsī lái shuō, yīgè yǒu chuàngzàolì de tuánduì jiùshì wújiàzhībǎo.
  • English: For a startup company, a creative team is a priceless treasure.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's application in a modern business context, highlighting the value of human capital.
• Example 9:
  • 这片原始森林拥有丰富的生物多样性，是大自然的无价之宝。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piàn yuánshǐ sēnlín yǒngyǒu fēngfù de shēngwù duōyàngxìng, shì dà zìrán de wújiàzhībǎo.
  • English: This virgin forest has rich biodiversity; it is a priceless treasure of nature.
  • Analysis: The term can be extended to describe natural wonders and ecological resources.
• Example 10:
  • 我祖母留给我的这本旧食谱，充满了回忆，是我的无价之宝。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zǔmǔ liú gěi wǒ de zhè běn jiù shípǔ, chōngmǎnle huíyì, shì wǒ de wújiàzhībǎo.
  • English: This old cookbook my grandmother left me, filled with memories, is my priceless treasure.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of how a mundane object can become a `无价之宝` due to its emotional and sentimental value.

• Mistake: Using it for simply expensive items.
  • A common error is to confuse `无价之宝` with `很贵 (hěn guì)` (very expensive). A Ferrari is very expensive, but it has a price. You can buy another one. It is not a `无价之宝`.
  • Incorrect: `这块手表是无价之宝，花了我十万块。` (This watch is a priceless treasure, it cost me 100,000 yuan.)
  • Reason: The sentence contradicts itself. If it has a price, it cannot be “priceless.” The correct term would be `非常昂贵 (fēicháng ángguì)` (extremely expensive).
• Mistake: Using it in a casual or trivial context.
  • `无价之宝` is a strong, sincere term. Using it for something trivial diminishes its power and can sound awkward.
  • Incorrect: `我刚买的这杯咖啡真是无价之宝，太好喝了！` (This coffee I just bought is a priceless treasure, it's so delicious!)
  • Reason: This is an overstatement. You would simply say `太好喝了 (tài hǎo hē le)` (It's so delicious!).
• “False Friend” with the English “Priceless”: While the core meaning is similar, the usage can differ. The English word “priceless” is often used to describe funny or heartwarming moments, as popularized by commercials. 无价之宝 is more formal and less about fleeting moments and more about enduring, profound value. You wouldn't describe a funny video of a cat as a `无价之宝`.

• 宝贝 (bǎobèi) - A much more common and informal term for “treasure.” It's also an affectionate term of endearment for children or a significant other, like “darling” or “baby.”
• 珍贵 (zhēnguì) - An adjective meaning “precious” or “valuable.” It describes the quality of an object or opportunity (e.g., `珍贵的经验` - precious experience). `无价之宝` is a noun for the thing itself.
• 价值连城 (jiàzhíliánchéng) - A `chengyu` meaning “value connects cities,” used to describe an object of immense monetary value, often a rare antique or jewel. It focuses more on high financial worth than emotional irreplaceability.
• 千金难买 (qiānjīnnánmǎi) - A `chengyu` meaning “hard to buy even with a thousand pieces of gold.” It emphasizes rarity and the difficulty of obtaining something, like an opportunity or a moment in time (`寸金难买寸光阴` - an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time).
• 国宝 (guóbǎo) - A “national treasure.” This term is specific, referring to items, places, or even living things (like giant pandas) officially recognized as treasures of the nation. It is a type of `无价之宝`.
• 掌上明珠 (zhǎngshàngmíngzhū) - A `chengyu` meaning “a bright pearl in the palm.” It is a poetic and beautiful way to refer specifically to a dearly beloved daughter, highlighting how precious and cherished she is.