Chinese Phrase 铄金

[albatross]

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?

[Lu]

My dictionaries agree with yours, so I assume the meaning you found is correct. In what context did you see this word?

[Michaelyus]

FWIW I only know this phrase in the idiom 众口铄金

[FrankSe]

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.