难能可贵 nánnéng-kěguì rare and precious
rare and precious; valuable; remarkable
How to remember 难能可贵: 难 difficult + 能 able to + 可 may + 贵 expensive = rare and precious.
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How it is used
- Rare and admirable - praising something difficult yet achieved - 他能坚持下来，实在难能可贵 (tā néng jiānchí xiàlái, shízài nánnéng kěguì) that he persevered is truly commendable.
- An idiom used to commend qualities/actions that are hard to attain and therefore precious.
- Positive and appreciative; the 'difficulty' is what makes the thing worthy of praise.