albatross Posted May 7, 2018 at 09:58 PM Report Share Posted May 7, 2018 at 09:58 PM What does “铄金“ mean? My dictionary says it means “melting metal; describes how the effect of public opinions can be so great that it can confound matter” Is that true? Is it often used as idiom or something, or is it not a common phrase? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lu Posted May 8, 2018 at 08:10 AM Report Share Posted May 8, 2018 at 08:10 AM My dictionaries agree with yours, so I assume the meaning you found is correct. In what context did you see this word? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michaelyus Posted May 8, 2018 at 08:47 AM Report Share Posted May 8, 2018 at 08:47 AM FWIW I only know this phrase in the idiom 众口铄金 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankSe Posted May 11, 2018 at 05:38 PM Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 at 05:38 PM Here's a snap from 现代汉语词典(the Modern Chinese Dictionary). I will translate it word-to-word to make it easy to read: 铄 (鑠) shuò <literal> ①melting(metal):铄石流金|众口铄金。②consume; reduce As for the idiom you mentioned, I think it's actually "众口铄金". The idiom has a story back in history (as many other chengyu do). Literally, "众口铄金" means "people's mouth can even melt gold", similar to another chengyu "人言可畏" which means "people's words are fearful". What it implies is we should be careful about people's words/opinions since they are so powerful that they can even melt gold(an impossible thing used here to exaggerate the effect) , aka "can be so great that it can confound matter". I So in short, it expresses a cautious attitude towards public opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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