锦上添花 jǐnshàng-tiānhuā literally add flowers to brocade (idiom)
literally add flowers to brocade (idiom); figuratively to give something additional splendor; to provide the crowning touch; (derog.) to benefit somebody who is already well off
How to remember 锦上添花: 锦 brocade + 上 above + 添 to add + 花 flower = literally add flowers to brocade (idiom).
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How it is used
- Idiom 'add flowers to brocade' - make something already good even better - 这份礼物锦上添花 (zhè fèn lǐwù jǐnshàng-tiānhuā) this gift is the crowning touch.
- Contrast the opposite idiom 雪中送炭 (xuězhōng-sòngtàn, send charcoal in snow - help when truly needed). 锦上添花 = nice-but-not-essential extra, 朋友雪中送炭 (péngyou xuězhōng-sòngtàn) a friend helps in a time of need.
- Can be mildly critical: praising the already-fortunate rather than helping the needy.