无价
wújià
The English word 'priceless' is translated into Mandarin as 无价 (wújià).
无价 is used to describe something so precious that it cannot be sold at any price. Chinese speakers use the idiom 无价之宝 (wújià zhī bǎo) to describe something that is a priceless treasure.
Meaning: so precious as not to be sold at any price (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of 无 (wú), meaning 'without' and 价 (jià), meaning 'price' or 'value'.
How do you pronounce it?
wújià
Did you know?
- The character 宝 (bǎo) in the idiom 无价之宝 is the same character used in 'baby' (宝宝, bǎobao), suggesting that something priceless is treated with the same affection as a child.
- The concept of 'priceless' is often expressed through the idiom 千金难买 (qiānjīn nán mǎi), which literally translates to 'one cannot buy it even with a thousand pieces of gold'.
- While 无价 describes something too precious to buy, the word 便宜 (piányi) meaning 'cheap' originally meant 'convenient' or 'appropriate'.
Examples in context
- 这幅画真是无价的艺术品。This painting is a truly priceless work of art.
- 那个古董的价值无法估量。The value of that antique is beyond estimation.
- 对我来说，友谊是无价宝。Friendship is a priceless treasure to me.
- 这件古董是无价之宝。Zhè jiàn gǔdǒng shì wújià zhī bǎo.This antique is a priceless treasure.
- 家人的陪伴是无价的。Jiārén de péibàn shì wújià de.The companionship of family is priceless.
- 这份情感是无价的。Zhè fèn qínggǎn shì wújià de.This feeling is priceless.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are visiting a museum.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你看，这幅画太美了。Nǐ kàn, zhè fú huà tài měile.Look, this painting is so beautiful.
- 志强 Zhiqiang它是无价的，不能买卖。Tā shì wújià de, bùnéng mǎimài.It is priceless and cannot be bought or sold.
- 佳怡 Jiayi难怪它被放在这里。Nánguài tā bèi fàng zài zhèlǐ.No wonder it is kept here.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，它是人类的瑰宝。Shì de, tā shì rénlèi de guībǎo.Yes, it is a treasure of humanity.
