Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'a beloved daughter' or 'the apple of someone's eye'. The literal image is 'a bright pearl in the palm' — something precious and carefully held. It is typically used to describe a daughter who is deeply cherished by her parents, though it can occasionally refer to any person or thing held dear. In modern usage it almost always refers to a treasured daughter.
id.
beloved daughterapple of one's eye (idiom)
Examples
- 掌上明珠，。Tā zài jiā shì fùmǔ de zhǎng shǎng, cóng xiǎo bèi shòu hēhù.At home she is her parents' apple of the eye, pampered since childhood.
- 掌上明珠，。Zhè wèi fùqīn bǎ nǚ'ér dàngzuò zhǎng shǎng, cóng bù ràng tā shòu wěiqu.This father regards his daughter as a precious pearl; he never lets her suffer injustice.
- 掌上明珠，。Tā bùjǐn shì jiālǐ de zhǎng shǎng, yě shì quán gōngsī de míngxīng yuángōng.She is not only the jewel of her family, but also a star employee at the whole company.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.