金科玉律 (jīn kē yù lǜ) — golden rule; immutable precept

Definition

A formal idiom for an absolute, unchanging rule — more literary and emphatic than the everyday 规则 ('rule'). Often used to stress that a principle is sacred and unquestionable.

idiom
golden ruleimmutable precept

Examples

  • ，金科玉律，。
    Zài wǒ men gōng sī, zhè tiáo guī zé jiù shì jīn kē yù lǜ, shuí dōu bù néng wéi fǎn.
    In our company, this rule is a golden rule that no one can violate.
  • 金科玉律，。
    Fǎ lǜ bú shì jīn kē yù lǜ, tā shì suí zhe shè huì biàn huà ér gǎi biàn de.
    The law is not an immutable precept; it changes along with society.
  • 金科玉律。
    Tā bǎ zhè tiáo jīng yàn dàng zuò wéi rén chǔ shì de jīn kē yù lǜ.
    He treats this piece of experience as a golden rule for getting along with others.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

金科golden laws
金jīngold科kēlaw
偏正Modifier + head
玉律jade rules
玉yùjade律lǜrule
偏正Modifier + head

金 and 玉 suggest precious, enduring things, and 科 and 律 both mean rules, giving immutable precepts.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

金 was drawn with marks for two pieces of metal, along with a part that gave its sound; it first meant copper, then metals and gold.

Open 金 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
斗斗dòumeasuring tool
Sound part声符shēngfú
禾
禾hé科kē
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

科 pairs 禾, which gives the hé sound, with 斗, a measuring tool.

Open 科 →

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

玉 was drawn as a ritual jade piece, or as jade pieces strung together, and was made distinct from 王 by adding a dot.

Open 玉 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chì
Sound part声符shēngfú
聿
聿yù律lǜ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

律 puts 彳 beside 聿: 彳 is the part tied to the meaning, and 聿 is the part tied to the sound.

Open 律 →

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