# 洛阳纸贵

luò yáng zhǐ guì

A written work becomes immensely popular

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Paper becomes costly in Luoyang

**Traditional Chinese:** 洛陽紙貴

**Register:** Appreciative · literary

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe writing in exceptional demand.

Most natural for books or literary work.

## Understanding the expression

The image connects a popular text with the paper needed to share it. So many people want copies that even the writing material becomes scarce. Modern use usually praises a book, article, or other written work that attracts wide demand. It is a literary way of describing popularity rather than a literal claim about paper prices. Context should make clear which work is being eagerly sought.

## Examples

新小说一出版便洛阳纸贵。

### Traditional Chinese

新小說一齣版便洛陽紙貴。

xīn xiǎo shuō yì chū bǎn biàn luò yáng zhǐ guì 。

The new novel became immensely popular on publication.

这部回忆录一时洛阳纸贵。

### Traditional Chinese

這部回憶錄一時洛陽紙貴。

zhè bù huí yì lù yì shí luò yáng zhǐ guì 。

The memoir was briefly in enormous demand.

他的诗集洛阳纸贵，连印三版。

### Traditional Chinese

他的詩集洛陽紙貴，連印三版。

tā de shī jí luò yáng zhǐ guì ， lián yìn sān bǎn 。

His popular poetry collection went through three printings.

老师推荐的书竟然洛阳纸贵。

### Traditional Chinese

老師推薦的書竟然洛陽紙貴。

lǎo shī tuī jiàn de shū jìng rán luò yáng zhǐ guì 。

The book the teacher recommended turned out to be hugely popular.

## 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=%E6%B4%9B%E9%99%BD%E7%B4%99%E8%B2%B4)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=99&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [每下愈况 měi xià yù kuàng Become progressively worse ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mei-xia-yu-kuang)

- [门可罗雀 mén kě luó què Have almost no visitors or customers ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/men-ke-luo-que)

- [门庭若市 mén tíng ruò shì Receive a great many visitors ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/men-ting-ruo-shi)

- [名落孙山 míng luò sūn shān Fail to make the successful list ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ming-luo-sun-shan)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 落花流水 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/luo-hua-liu-shui) [Next idiom 络绎不绝 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/luo-yi-bu-jue)