# 金科玉律

jīn kē yù lǜ

A rule treated as authoritative and unchangeable

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Golden clauses and jade rules

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe highly valued principles or rigidly revered rules.

Often ironic when old rules resist needed change.

## Understanding the expression

Gold and jade lend value and authority to rules, making them seem precious and beyond dispute. The expression may praise a trusted principle, but it often criticizes treating a convention as permanently binding. Context decides whether that reverence is deserved. A rule can serve a useful purpose while still needing adjustment when conditions change. The phrase describes the status people give the rule, not proof that the rule is universally correct.

## Examples

他把旧流程当作金科玉律。

### Traditional Chinese

他把舊流程當作金科玉律。

tā bǎ jiù liú chéng dàng zuò jīn kē yù lǜ 。

He treats the old procedure as an unchangeable rule.

他把安全第一奉为金科玉律。

### Traditional Chinese

他把安全第一奉為金科玉律。

tā bǎ ān quán dì yī fèng wèi jīn kē yù lǜ 。

He treats putting safety first as an inviolable principle.

别把一次成功当成金科玉律。

### Traditional Chinese

別把一次成功當成金科玉律。

bié bǎ yí cì chéng gōng dàng chéng jīn kē yù lǜ 。

Do not treat one successful experience as an immutable rule.

她质疑了团队奉为金科玉律的做法。

### Traditional Chinese

她質疑了團隊奉為金科玉律的做法。

tā zhì yí le tuán duì fèng wèi jīn kē yù lǜ de zuò fǎ 。

She questioned a practice the team regarded as unquestionable.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%87%91%E7%A7%91%E7%8E%89%E5%BE%8B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=810&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [锦囊妙计 jǐn náng miào jì An ingenious plan ready to solve a difficulty ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jin-nang-miao-ji)

- [进退维谷 jìn tuì wéi gǔ Be trapped in a dilemma ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jin-tui-wei-gu)

- [咎由自取 jiù yóu zì qǔ Bring trouble upon oneself ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiu-you-zi-qu)

- [居安思危 jū ān sī wēi Stay alert to risk in secure times ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ju-an-si-wei)

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