如获至宝

如獲至寶

rúhuòzhìbǎo

idiom #98,087

Meanings

1 as if obtaining the most precious treasure
2 to be overjoyed at getting something; to treasure something deeply

Characters

to obtain; to gain

treasure; precious thing

Examples

他在旧书店找到了那本绝版书，如获至宝。

Tā zài jiùshū diàn zhǎodào le nà běn juébǎn shū, rúhuòzhìbǎo.

He found that out-of-print book at the secondhand store and was thrilled as if he'd found a treasure.

妈妈把奶奶留下的戒指收好，如获至宝。

Māma bǎ nǎinai liú xià de jièzhǐ shōu hǎo, rúhuòzhìbǎo.

Mom carefully put away the ring Grandma had left her, treasuring it like a precious gem.

Tips

history

From the Song-dynasty letter 《与胡邦衡书》 by Li Guang (李光): 忽蜀僧行密至，袖出寂照庵三字，如获至宝 — 'Suddenly the Sichuan monk Xingmi arrived, drew three characters from his sleeve, and I treasured them as if they were jewels.'

grammar

Pattern: subject + 如获至宝, or as a comparison after 一样/似的. Often paired with verbs of obtaining (得到, 找到, 收到) or treasuring (珍藏, 收好).

Stroke Order

如 rú

获 huò

至 zhì

宝 bǎo