物以稀为贵

物以稀為貴

wùyǐxīwéiguì

idiom

Meanings

1 things become precious when they are rare
2 rarity makes value
3 scarcity drives up worth

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

限量版的球鞋物以稀为贵，价格翻了好几倍。

Xiànliàng bǎn de qiúxié wùyǐxīwéiguì, jiàgé fān le hǎojǐ bèi.

Limited-edition sneakers are priceless because they're scarce - prices have multiplied.

HSK 7-9

这种野生药材物以稀为贵。

Zhèzhǒng yěshēng yàocái wùyǐxīwéiguì.

This kind of wild medicinal herb is precious because it's so rare.

HSK 7-9

在沙漠里水比金子还贵，真是物以稀为贵。

Zài shāmò lǐ shuǐ bǐ jīnzi hái guì, zhēnshi wùyǐxīwéiguì.

In the desert water is worth more than gold - truly, scarcity makes value.

Tips

history

From Tang poet 白居易's poem 《小岁日喜谈氏外孙女孩满月》: 物以稀为贵，情因老更慈, things are valued for their rarity, affection grows tenderer with age.

Stroke Order

物 wù

以 yǐ

稀 xī

为 wéi

贵 guì