一言九鼎 (yī yán jiǔ dǐng) — a solemn pledge that carries great weight; one's word is as good as gold; a statement of decisive authority

Definition

A classical idiom meaning 'one word weighs as much as nine tripods' — used when someone's words carry decisive, binding authority. Stronger and more literary than everyday phrases like 说话算数.

idiom
a solemn pledge that carries great weightone's word is as good as golda statement of decisive authority

Examples

  • 一言九鼎，。
    Tā shuō huà yí xiàng yī yán jiǔ dǐng, cóng bù shí yán.
    He always keeps his word — his promises are as good as sealed.
  • 一言九鼎，。
    Zǒng jīng lǐ zài huì shàng de biǎo tài kě wèi yī yán jiǔ dǐng, dà jiā dōu bù gǎn dài màn.
    The general manager's statement at the meeting carried such weight that nobody dared to take it lightly.
  • ，一言九鼎，。
    Zài zhè ge háng yè lǐ, tā de huà yī yán jiǔ dǐng, méi rén huái yí tā de pàn duàn.
    In this industry, his word is worth its weight in gold — no one doubts his judgment.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Open 言 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape comes from a stylized hand bent at the wrist, with the lower-right hook showing the bend. Later, it was taken to show a tightened fist bumping up to ten, giving the number nine.

Open 九 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 鼎 is a picture of an ancient bronze tripod cauldron, a vessel with three legs used for cooking or ritual.

Open 鼎 →

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