绪论
现代汉语与文化
1.1.1 ． 现代汉语言特征
China is a nation rich in cultural heritage, characterized by its unique writing system and distinct language structure Mandarin Chinese, the most widely spoken language in the world, serves as the primary means of communication among the Han people, comprising the majority of China's population, as well as facilitating interactions among various ethnic groups across the country.
The primary means of communication plays a crucial role in fostering interactions among various ethnic groups in China and is essential for national unity.
Modern Chinese, as a continuation and evolution of ancient Chinese, boasts a rich history The transition to Modern Chinese has taken place over an extensive historical period Standard Mandarin, based on the Beijing dialect, has been shaped by eliminating non-standard phonetic features found in the Beijing pronunciation.
Chinese is a typical isolating language characterized by its syllables, which consist of an initial consonant and a final vowel, lacking consonant clusters and featuring tonal distinctions that make it melodious The basic form of Chinese morphemes is the monosyllabic morpheme, which dominates the language, while new words are often formed through compound roots In terms of vocabulary, disyllabic words are prevalent, and the "four-character phrase" is the most common structure among polysyllabic terms Grammatically, Chinese exhibits minimal morphological changes, relying heavily on word order and function words as key grammatical tools The structure of words, phrases, and sentences follows consistent principles, with word classes and syntactic components not simply corresponding The writing system, developed over three millennia, utilizes logographic characters that transcend dialectal differences, preserving the history of the Chinese nation and embodying its rich cultural heritage.
1.1.2 中国文化特征
中国文化渊源流长，数千年来伴随着中国人的发展与进步逐渐形成。
中国文化特征主要表现为以下四个方面：
Chinese culture has developed a cohesive identity centered around the Huaxia culture, while also integrating various ethnic cultures throughout its historical evolution This unity plays a significant role in fostering communication and understanding among diverse groups.
Continuity is a defining characteristic of Chinese culture, which has evolved seamlessly throughout history without interruption This uninterrupted progression reflects a chain of interconnected developments that have shaped its rich heritage.
Inclusivity is a hallmark of Chinese culture, which embraces a wide range of influences The diverse philosophies and schools of thought within China have learned from one another, fostering a rich exchange of ideas Additionally, Han culture has absorbed elements from surrounding ethnic minorities, demonstrating an openness to external influences This adaptability is evident in the way Buddhism has been integrated into Chinese society, showcasing a selective yet expansive approach to cultural assimilation.
China, as a unified multi-ethnic nation, showcases a multidimensional cultural identity characterized by a diverse yet cohesive cultural community formed by distinct ethnic cultures This multi-layered culture embodies two key aspects: first, the various ethnic cultures have historically interacted, absorbed, and influenced one another, creating a harmonious integration; second, Han culture, as the mainstream, has played a pivotal role in guiding, uniting, and consolidating the diverse ethnic cultures within the broader framework of Chinese culture While Chinese culture is a complete and unified entity, the vast geography and numerous ethnic groups contribute to a rich tapestry of regional and ethnic cultural differences.
1.1.3．汉语与文化之间的关系
Culture, in a broad sense, encompasses the totality of material and spiritual wealth created by humanity throughout social and historical development, which includes material culture, institutional culture, and psychological culture In a narrower sense, it refers to the common social habits of people, such as customs related to food, clothing, housing, transportation, lifestyle, and behavioral norms.
Language and culture are intricately connected, often described as two sides of the same coin Language serves as a vessel for culture, and the two cannot exist independently; culture is inherently reflected in language Moreover, language is essential for the formation and development of human culture, while cultural evolution enriches and refines language This relationship is bidirectional, with language and culture constantly supporting, depending on, and influencing one another Across the globe, diverse languages vividly embody the unique cultures of their respective ethnic groups.
Chinese is one of the richest and most developed languages in the world, reflecting the diverse culture of the Chinese people through its extensive history As a crucial component of the language, Chinese vocabulary is more significantly influenced by cultural factors such as social customs, moral values, and ways of thinking than by phonetics or grammar By examining the emergence and disappearance of words, we can gain insights into the ebb and flow of cultural factors Additionally, the naming of words reveals connections to national psychology and customs, while the borrowing of terms highlights cultural exchanges between China and other countries The internal structure and semantic characteristics of words also embody rich cultural elements, underscoring the importance of vocabulary in understanding Chinese culture.
The vocabulary of the Chinese language is a reflection of the traditional culture of the Han ethnic group It serves not only as a vessel for Han culture but also as a crystallization of its essence The historical significance of Chinese vocabulary lies in its role in preserving the ancient culture of the Han people, while Han culture, in turn, has facilitated the rich development of this vocabulary.
1.1.4.中国的“玉”文化
The Chinese nation has a deep reverence for jade, being the earliest in the world to craft and utilize jade artifacts, which has led to the development of a unique jade culture As a result, China is recognized as a vibrant civilization in the history of global jade culture Even before written records, jade was cherished as a beautiful, sacred, valuable, and auspicious treasure This worship of jade is deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Chinese people, persisting through millennia and influencing their moral and ethical standards.
Jade, often defined in ancient texts as "the beautiful stone," is characterized as a white, semi-transparent, and lustrous mineral Its fine, hard texture and brilliant sheen distinguish it from other stones Despite being a type of stone, jade holds a revered status in Chinese culture This admiration dates back to the Stone Age, when stone tools were essential for labor and defense Although bronze and iron later replaced stone in tool-making, the appreciation for exquisite stones, particularly jade, remained ingrained in the cultural consciousness of the ancestors, symbolizing purity, warmth, and strength.
Ancient Chinese jade, cherished for its beauty and significance, occupies a vital role in both institutional and spiritual culture As a form of material culture, jade was used to create vessels, ceremonial objects, ornaments, and artworks, renowned for its durability, warmth, and aesthetic appeal In institutional culture, jade played a key role in rituals and ceremonies, as illustrated in texts like the "Rites of Zhou," which describe offerings to heaven and earth Spiritually, jade is revered for its qualities of gentleness and purity, embodying virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, and integrity, which align with Confucian ideals The association of jade with moral character is evident in the belief that it possesses five, seven, or eleven virtues Beyond its physical attributes, the symbolism of jade extends to represent beauty, auspiciousness, noble character, exceptional talent, and social status This reverence has evolved into a form of superstition, with jade believed to ward off evil, protect the deceased, and even prolong life Thus, jade is not merely a stone; it is a significant element of ancient Chinese civilization, rich in cultural connotations and a hallmark of Chinese heritage.
现代汉语成语简介
Chinese idioms, as defined by Professor Zhang Xiaoke from Guangxi University for Nationalities, are fixed phrases that have been traditionally used and are characterized by their written language style These idioms are the result of long-term usage and refinement, encapsulating profound ideological meanings while often carrying emotional connotations, including both positive and negative sentiments.
Chinese idioms typically consist of four characters, although some may have two or more characters, and can even be divided into two parts They are characterized by their tight structure, concise form, and profound meaning, demonstrating strong expressiveness Generally, the word order cannot be arbitrarily altered, nor can the components be replaced or added.
Chinese idioms originate from several sources: mythology, fables, historical anecdotes, literary works, and foreign cultures Whether in speech or writing, the precise and appropriate use of idioms enhances the liveliness and impact of the communication.
与课题相关的现有研究成果综述
1.5.1.现代汉语词群研究现状
A word group refers to a collection of terms that share the same morpheme Initially, the study of word groups focused on categorizing words with similar meanings and examining their etymology and rationale, which helped clarify and differentiate synonyms and antonyms With the formal introduction of the concept of "word groups," the number of researchers has increased, leading to an expanded scope and various perspectives in the study of word groups, resulting in significant achievements in the field.
The study of word groups focuses on various aspects of the groups themselves, including structural, semantic, generative, evolutionary, and practical usage research Structural studies may involve classifying the members of a word group or exploring the creation of new word groups, as well as observing the development of additional morphological patterns within the groups For instance, Qi Yanshan categorizes color words into simple, compound, and morphologically formed categories Additionally, Zong Shouyun lists word groups formed from characters like "热" (hot), "圈" (circle), and "族" (clan) Semantic research is also crucial, encompassing the analysis of meanings within word groups, changes in color connotations, and semantic bleaching An example is Pan Feng's collection of data on the color green.
In the study of color terminology, it has been observed that many meanings associated with colors have diminished, leading to semantic generalization Scholars are increasingly focusing on comprehensive research of specific word groups, such as Xu Xiaoting's studies on the "flower" and "guest" word groups in modern Chinese.
1.5.2.现代汉语“玉”词群及含“玉”字成语的研究现状
Chinese researchers have conducted extensive studies on jade culture, resulting in a wealth of literature on the subject While there are some references to modern Chinese vocabulary related to jade and idioms containing the character "jade," there has yet to be a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the semantic, grammatical, and cultural characteristics of these jade-related terms and idioms.
综述前人的相关研究成果，我们不难发现，中国学者非常重视对
The study of jade culture in China encompasses a vast array of scholarly literature, exploring various aspects such as politics, culture, religion, morality, philosophy, and aesthetics Notable works include Yao Shiqi's "Chinese Jade Culture," which focuses on the reverence for jade among the Chinese people and examines the evolution of jade adornments through ceremonial practices to illustrate the significance of jade culture Additionally, Yao Yaning's contributions further enrich the understanding of this cultural phenomenon.
The article "A Multifaceted Study of 'Jade' in Chinese" aims to investigate the linguistic aspects of the term "jade," focusing on its cultural significance and the language surrounding it It also examines the linguistic creativity associated with jade culture and its outcomes, seeking to uncover the underlying principles of linguistics.
Research on the "jade" lexicon, although limited, has yielded notable findings A key study by Wang Haixiu, titled "Exploring Chinese Female Culture through Jade Vocabulary," highlights the frequent use of jade as a metaphor when describing women The study also delves into related aesthetic psychological issues and the intrinsic connection between jade and feminine beauty Collaboratively, Wang Haixiu and Li Shuxin contribute to this discourse, enhancing our understanding of the cultural significance of jade in relation to women.
《论汉语熟语中蕴含的玉文化》（2004年）中考察了大量的语料探讨带
The character "玉" (jade) in Chinese idioms symbolizes wealth, virtue, talent, and beauty, reflecting the cultural significance of jade in Chinese society Wang Xinhua's works, including "Aesthetic Value Orientation of Jade-related Words" (2005) and "Analysis of Jade-related Words and Their Cultural Connotations" (2006), explore the aesthetic values associated with jade and the profound appreciation of jade culture among the Chinese people These studies also analyze the meanings of characters containing "玉" and the emergence of new multi-syllabic words featuring this character Chinese idioms represent a unique aspect of the language, rich in folk life and historical experience, encapsulating various cultural dimensions, including politics and traditions Yao Yaning's research on "Multi-faceted Studies of '玉' in Chinese" highlights that idioms containing "玉" often convey positive cultural meanings, reflecting national customs and values.
Based on the semantic characteristics of "jade," idioms containing the word "jade" can be categorized into types that symbolize wealth, virtue, and talent.
In summary, previous studies have explored the modern Chinese word group related to "jade" and idioms containing "jade" from various perspectives, achieving notable results However, most research has primarily focused on the semantic features and cultural connotations of these terms There is a lack of comprehensive studies on the "jade" word group and idioms from the perspective of Chinese language teaching, particularly in the context of teaching Chinese as a second language.
I plan to focus my master's thesis on the study of the "jade" word group in modern Chinese and idioms containing the character "jade." This research will build upon previous scholarship on the "jade" word group in contemporary Chinese.
The study of idioms containing the character "玉" explores the semantic features, grammatical characteristics, and cultural connotations of these verbs Additionally, the findings related to the modern Chinese vocabulary group associated with "玉" and idioms incorporating this character are applied to vocabulary teaching practices.
Jade is a vital element of traditional Chinese culture, significantly influencing Chinese thought and permeating various aspects of daily life Its rich cultural connotations have played a crucial role in the formation and enrichment of the Chinese vocabulary related to jade This chapter highlights the relationship between the Chinese language and culture, providing a detailed introduction to the significance of jade in Chinese heritage.
The article explores the cultural significance of "jade" while defining the modern Chinese vocabulary related to jade and reviewing existing research findings pertinent to the topic.
现代汉语“玉”词群及含“玉”字成 语的结构、语义与文化特点
词典统计
This article examines three dictionaries: the "Modern Chinese Normative Dictionary," the "Xinhua Idiom Dictionary," and the "Reverse Modern Chinese Dictionary." The "Modern Chinese Normative Dictionary," published by the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, includes a comprehensive collection of entries related to the "yu" character The "Xinhua Idiom Dictionary," published by the Commercial Press, features numerous idioms, with a specific focus on those containing the character "yu." Lastly, the "Reverse Modern Chinese Dictionary," also published by the Commercial Press, offers a unique approach to modern Chinese language entries.
This chapter examines the "jade" word group and related idioms as documented in three dictionaries It provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, semantics, and cultural significance of terms and phrases containing the character "jade."
现代汉语“玉”词群的词性和结构分析
我们根据词素“玉”的位置将属于“玉”词群的双音节词分成两类，即
The character "玉" can appear at the beginning or the end of a word, forming different structures Statistical results indicate that there are words where "玉" serves as a prefix, while others feature it as a suffix.
占 ；其词性有动词和名词两类。具体统计结果如下表：
表 ：现代汉语属于“玉”词群的双音节词语的词性与结构统计表
形容词 动词 名词 合计
数量 比例 数量 比例 数量 比例 数量 比例
表 ：现代汉语“玉”词群双音节词语的内部结构
偏正 联合 主谓 合计
数量 比例 数量 比例 数量 比例 数量 比例
根据表 和表 ，可以得出以下结论：
）从数量看，“玉 ”格式词语和“ 玉”格式词语所占的比重不同，“玉
”格式词语多于“玉 ”格式词语。
In the analysis of word classes, nouns dominate significantly, with a total of "jade" formatted words Among these, nouns comprise the majority, highlighting their prevalence in the "jade" terminology.
The "玉" format primarily features verbs that relate closely to its grammatical and semantic functions As "玉" is a noun, it can serve as a headword or an attributive modifier, which increases the quantity of nouns in the structure Additionally, some verbs within the "玉" format are employed as euphemistic expressions, such as "玉成" and "玉碎."
The internal structure of words formatted with "jade" shares similarities with those using the "jade" format, primarily featuring a predominantly modifier-head structure Additionally, there are compound forms such as "gold and jade" and subject-verb constructions like "jade completes," "jade shatters," "jade illuminates," and "jade carves." This is because the meaning of "jade" pertains to objects or qualities, lacking any connotation of actions, which prevents the formation of subject-object compound words.
含“玉”字成语的语法结构分析
Idioms are a significant component of the Chinese vocabulary Analyzing the structure of idioms is crucial, and this article focuses on the structural analysis of idioms that contain the character "玉."
表 ： 现代汉语含“玉”字成语的结构分析
偏正 述宾 主谓 连动 联合 缩紧 合计
根据表 ，“玉”字成语呈现以下特点：
Compared to compound words, idioms containing the character "玉" showcase a diverse structure, featuring not only conjunction formats but also modifiers, subject-predicate, and serial verb constructions These idioms often consist of multiple characters, allowing for a richer expression of meaning and a greater variety of structures.
The idiomatic expressions containing the character "玉" predominantly exhibit a conjunction structure, followed by attributive and subject-predicate relationships, while the least common are the complement and serial verb structures Specifically, there are three idioms in the complement relationship: "不吝珠玉," "玉成其事," and "玉成其美," and only one in the serial verb relationship: "抛砖引玉."
Generally, idioms are characterized by their fixed and rigid nature, but a notable exception can be observed in idioms containing the character "玉" (jade), where a considerable number of synonymous idioms with inverted word order exist These inverted idioms are compound idioms with parallel structures, where the meaning remains unchanged even when the word order is reversed, as seen in examples such as "gold branch jade leaf" and "jade leaf gold branch", "jade liquid and crystal dew" and "crystal dew and jade liquid", and "brocade clothes jade food" and "gold food brocade clothes".
2.1.4.“玉”作为语素的构词能力
Shi Anshi emphasizes that "every morpheme possesses a certain combinatory ability; otherwise, it cannot be considered a morpheme." This combinatory ability encompasses two fundamental aspects: the number of morphemes it can combine with and the types of morphemes or morpheme combinations it can associate with This article organizes the various meanings of "jade" as units to examine their combinatory and word formation capabilities Additionally, it categorizes the morphemes that combine with "jade" based on grammatical properties and semantic categories, further exploring the combinatory patterns at the morpheme level within the "jade" lexical group.
Statistical analysis reveals that among the entries containing the character "玉," a significant number are formed by combining "玉" with noun morphemes, followed by adjective and verb morphemes This data indicates that the majority of combinations with "玉" involve noun and adjective morphemes, with noun combinations being the most prevalent These often refer to entities or objects related to jade, or serve as a term of endearment for people or things associated with beauty.
“玉帛”：玉器品，泛指财富
“玉带”：饰玉的腰带
“玉佩”：玉饰的装饰品
“玉体”：敬辞，尊敬对方的身体
The term "玉" (jade) appears in various forms, primarily serving as a core element in adjectives that denote specific types of jade, such as "黄玉" (yellow jade), "白玉" (white jade), "软玉" (soft jade), and "硬玉" (hard jade) Additionally, "玉" is used as a verbal element in expressions like "玉成" (to achieve), "玉雕" (jade carving), "玉碎" (jade shattering), and "玉照" (jade illumination) Some of these expressions convey respect (玉成, 玉照), while others serve as euphemisms, such as "玉碎," which metaphorically represents the sacrifice of ideals and justice.
2.2 “玉”词群及含“玉”字成语的语义分析
Semantics has long been a focal point for researchers, serving as the core of language structure It plays a crucial role in the vocabulary framework, underscoring its undeniable importance Additionally, the study of word groups is a significant aspect of semantic research.
2.2.1“玉”字的来源
“玉”是一个独体象形字，在甲骨文写作 、 等，《说文解字》曰：
The phrase "象数玉之连，其贵也" illustrates the concept of several pieces of jade strung together, symbolizing their value The short horizontal lines represent individual jade pieces, grouped in threes or fives, while the vertical line signifies the string that connects them, complete with a knot at the top This imagery reveals that in ancient times, jade was used similarly to shells as a form of currency.
According to Wang Xinhua's analysis in "An Examination of Jade Vocabulary and Its Cultural Connotations," the term "jade" in oracle bone inscriptions specifically refers to jade-handled vessels It wasn't until the Zhou Dynasty that the character for "jade" began to be associated with other types of artifacts, eventually becoming a general term for jade objects In bronze inscriptions, it is written as "玉."
In the small seal script, the three horizontal lines of the character "玉" are evenly distributed Both bronze inscriptions and small seal script depict "玉" with three horizontal lines and one vertical line, resembling the modern character "王," which can lead to confusion during writing To enhance clarity and differentiate it from "王" and "玉," an additional dot is added to the character "玉."
The character "玉" originated from pictograms and evolved into an ideographic script based on visual representation This method of writing captures the essence of the objects it denotes, reflecting their physical characteristics and thereby conveying the meaning of the term.
2.2.2 “玉”作为词的语义分析
2.2.2.1 “玉”在词典中的解义
在《辞海》（ 年）中，“玉”作为词的义项有：
温润有光泽的美石，如：宝玉；玉器
比喻洁白美好，如：玉颜；玉貌
尊敬之辞，如：玉音；
相爱、相助，如：玉欲玉女；玉成
在《汉语大字典》（ 年）中，“玉”的义项有：
Jade is a fine, lustrous stone known for its smooth texture and beauty Often referred to as "royal jade," it is cherished in jewelry and ornamental pieces, symbolizing purity and elegance The term encompasses jadeite and nephrite, highlighting the exquisite and precious nature of jade artifacts, including jade musical instruments In a broader sense, jade represents refined craftsmanship and is associated with qualities of purity and cultivation, reflecting respect and reverence in its cultural significance.
在《现代汉语规范词典》（ ）中，“玉”的义项有：
硬玉、软玉两类矿物的统称，如：玉器、玉雕、美玉
像玉一样晶莹、洁白和美丽，如：玉颜、玉手、亭亭玉立
敬辞，指对方身体、行动或与对方有关的事物，如：玉体、玉音、玉 照
The explanations of "jade" in these three dictionaries vary in detail, with common synonyms including "a type of beautiful stone," "metaphor for purity and beauty," and "a term of respect." Among them, the definition provided by the "Cihai" dictionary is the most comprehensive.
2.2.2.2 “玉”的引申意义分析
According to the statistical analysis of three major dictionaries—Cihai, Hanyu Da Cidian, and Hanyu Dazidian—the fundamental meaning of "jade" is "a type of beautiful stone." Additionally, the term encompasses connotations such as "a beautiful stone," "metaphor for purity and beauty," and "respectful terminology," which are common interpretations across these dictionaries The Chinese people have a deep reverence for jade, being the earliest in the world to craft and utilize jade artifacts, thus developing a unique jade culture Jade is cherished as a beautiful, sacred, precious, and auspicious treasure, making its extended meanings a topic worthy of exploration.
含“玉”字成语的语义分析
In Chinese society, the culture of "jade" has a deep-rooted history that is reflected in the language The single-syllable word "jade" carries rich meanings, making it a highly active morpheme that widely participates in the formation of disyllabic compound words When discussing the term "jade," one cannot overlook its role in idioms; just as it combines with single and double syllables, "jade" actively contributes to a vast number of idiomatic expressions.
Due to the significant variability in the meanings of idioms, their semantics are not merely a direct combination of the meanings of their components; instead, they are expressed through metaphorical associations For instance, "jade" symbolizes beauty and luster, playing a crucial role in the formation of idioms In this context, the fundamental meaning of "jade" is intertwined within the expressions, where the overall metaphor conveys deeper significance Therefore, studying the role of "jade" in idioms is essential for understanding their nuanced meanings.
The semantic category of "jade" is deeply intertwined with metaphorical cognition, reflecting its significant value in society and its pervasive role in daily life This extensive semantic range encompasses not only the physical characteristics of jade, such as its color, sound, and texture, but also extends to various abstract concepts related to human existence Some of these meanings arise from the natural physical properties of jade, while others are derived from the abstraction of these inherent qualities.
The semantic development of the term "jade" in idioms reflects both its concrete characteristics and abstract qualities.
） 指乐声、歌声、诗文的韵律之美
In the Chinese idioms containing the characters "玉包," phrases such as "珠圆玉润," "金声玉振," and "锵金铿玉" highlight the beauty of rhythm in music, song, and ambient sounds.
The natural sounds produced by the clinking of jade are crisp, pleasant, and vibrant, leading people to use the beauty of "jade" as a metaphor for the beauty of music, song, and the melodic quality found in poetry For instance, the phrase "珠圆玉润" symbolizes a melodious and graceful singing voice, or it can refer to smooth and lively writing, indicating harmonious and resonant sounds, as well as the beauty of poetic verses.
（ 16 ）见书法珠圆玉润之中，另有一种飘飘欲仙丰致。《花月痕》
The phrase "珠圆玉润" embodies the idea of smooth and vibrant writing when combined with "calligraphy." The meanings of the words "round" and "smooth" reflect the essence of this idiom, highlighting the fluidity and clarity of the characters.
（ 17 ）那肉色的丝袜子，紧裹着珠圆玉润的肌肤。《啼笑因缘》张恨水
“金波玉液”、“玉液琼浆”这 个成语喻指美酒。
The translucent and clear luster of jade resembles the sparkling clarity of fine wine, creating a metaphorical connection between the two This similarity has inspired various idiomatic expressions, where the clarity of jade is used to symbolize the brilliance of wine For instance, terms like "jade liquid and fragrant brew" refer to exquisite drinks, "golden waves and jade liquid" denote fine wines, and "jade liquid from the Yaochi" signifies rare and valuable wines These expressions highlight the metaphorical mechanism that links the beauty of jade with the allure of exceptional beverages.
（ 18 ）今闻老母被囚，虽金波玉液不能下咽矣。《三国演义》第三六回。
（ 19 ）“休道是酒，便是玉液琼浆，我嚥不下。” 《金钱记》元 乔吉
Suddenly turning his head, he noticed several strong men brewing liquor in the long corridor on the right, accompanied by water carriers and young boys tending the fire They were busy washing barrels and brushes, having already produced exquisite liquor and fragrant brews.
《西游记》第五回
3）指女子或女子的美貌：
The article discusses several Chinese idioms that highlight beauty and elegance, including "Ice Skin and Jade Bones," "Golden Boy and Jade Girl," "Fragrance Fades and Beauty Diminishes," "Fragrance Fades and Jade Shatters," "Fragrance Fades and Jade Perishes," "Small Family and Jade Beauty," "Jade Diminishes and Fragrance Fades," "Jade Shatters and Fragrance Fades," and "Flower Face and Jade Appearance." These expressions reflect the cultural appreciation for physical beauty and grace.
“亭亭玉立”、“珠辉玉映”、“如花似玉”。
The study of the "jade" lexicon reveals its frequent use as a metaphor for female beauty, whether in disyllabic words or idioms Jade embodies various aspects of beauty, such as its smooth shape, clear color, crisp sound, and translucent texture, which collectively represent an overall aesthetic In traditional Chinese culture, female beauty is perceived holistically, encompassing delicate features, a well-proportioned figure, graceful posture, subtle temperament, and refined morality The beauty of Eastern women aligns with the multifaceted allure of jade, creating a harmonious unity Just as beautiful jade captivates the eye, so too does a beautiful woman evoke similar aesthetic appreciation, leading to a cultural tendency to equate jade with feminine beauty Expressions such as "jade-like beauty" refer to stunning appearances, while "jade-soft and flower-like" describes delicate femininity Additionally, "jade bones and icy skin" signifies a slender figure with fair, radiant skin, and "celestial posture and jade complexion" highlights exquisite grace and beauty The phrase "jade shattered, fragrance lingering" poignantly symbolizes the death of a beautiful woman.
（ 21 ）“生成玉骨冰肌态，长就兰襟蕙质心。” 《再生缘》第二回
4）指才能或人才：
The idioms containing the character "玉" include "抱玉怀珠," "抱玉握珠," "金马玉堂," "金声玉振," and "芝兰玉树."
The intrinsic value of jade distinguishes it among stones, showcasing its unique and precious qualities This exquisite inner characteristic parallels the inherent talents and knowledge that individuals should possess, leading the Han Chinese to associate jade with talent Furthermore, traditional Chinese culture views talent as a form of beauty, much like the allure of jade itself.
Knowledge and scholarship are essential qualities for a gentleman, but possessing only talent and knowledge is insufficient A true gentleman must also embody good moral character and personal integrity This harmonious blend of inner qualities aligns with the beautiful and radiant characteristics of "jade" in people's perceptions For instance, phrases like "holding jade and grasping pearls" symbolize profound knowledge, "a house full of gold and jade" denotes a person with great talent and rich learning, "jade from Kunshan" refers to outstanding individuals, and "the orchid and jade tree" signifies exceptional offspring.
（ 22 ）抱玉握珠真博学，经天纬地实奇英。《再生缘》第十一回
The phrase "抱玉握珠" metaphorically signifies a wealth of knowledge and exceptional talent, making it a fitting expression to pair with "erudition."
（ 23 ）其他文词超绝、抱玉怀珠者百余人，皆是当世名儒。《醒世恒言》
5）指难得、重要、珍贵的事物：
共有 个：“金科玉律”、“金口玉言”、“金玉良言”、“金玉之言”、