# 小家碧玉

xiǎo jiā bì yù

A graceful young woman associated with a modest household

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A jade beauty from a small household

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Use as a literary description of restrained feminine charm.

Class-based and appearance-focused; can sound dated.

## Understanding the expression

The expression associates jade-like beauty with a household of modest status. It presents a quieter, more restrained feminine charm than grand or aristocratic elegance. Modern use is often literary, especially in descriptions of screen characters or styling. Because the phrase categorizes women through appearance and social background, it can sound dated outside those settings. It says little about the person’s intelligence, character, or actual financial circumstances without additional context.

## Examples

她在电影里饰演小家碧玉。

### Traditional Chinese

她在電影裡飾演小家碧玉。

tā zài diàn yǐng lǐ shì yǎn xiǎo jiā bì yù 。

She plays a graceful young woman from a modest household in the film.

这套衣服带着小家碧玉的清秀。

### Traditional Chinese

這套衣服帶著小家碧玉的清秀。

zhè tào yī fu dài zhe xiǎo jiā bì yù de qīng xiù 。

This outfit has a delicate, understated feminine charm.

照片中的她颇有小家碧玉的气质。

### Traditional Chinese

照片中的她頗有小家碧玉的氣質。

zhào piàn zhōng de tā pō yǒu xiǎo jiā bì yù de qì zhì 。

In the photograph she has a gentle, modest elegance.

导演想要小家碧玉的形象，不要贵族气派。

### Traditional Chinese

導演想要小家碧玉的形象，不要貴族氣派。

dǎo yǎn xiǎng yào xiǎo jiā bì yù de xíng xiàng ， bú yào guì zú qì pài 。

The director wants a modest, graceful young woman’s image rather than an aristocratic air.

## 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=%E5%B0%8F%E5%AE%B6%E7%A2%A7%E7%8E%89)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=760&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [小巧玲珑 xiǎo qiǎo líng lóng Small, delicate, and finely made ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiao-qiao-ling-long)

- [心不在焉 xīn bù zài yān Be mentally elsewhere ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-bu-zai-yan)

- [心旷神怡 xīn kuàng shén yí Feel refreshed, relaxed, and delighted ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-kuang-shen-yi)

- [心满意足 xīn mǎn yì zú Feel fully content with what one has or achieves ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-man-yi-zu)

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