掌上明珠 zhǎng shàng míng zhū

fig. beloved person (esp. daughter)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 32182nd word

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. beloved person (esp. daughter)
  2. 2. lit. a pearl in the palm (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
掌 zhǎng HSK 5
palm of the hand; to hold in one's hand; to slap
上 shàng HSK 1
to go up; on top; above
明 míng HSK 1
bright; (of meaning) clear; to understand
珠 zhū HSK 6
pearl; bead