錦上添花 (きんじょうてんか)

Today’s Yojijukugo is 錦上添花 (きんじょうてんか).

• Meaning:
  • Definition: 良いもの美しいものの上にさらに良いもの美しいものを加えること。
  • Literal Translation: The act of adding more good and more beautiful things on top of something already good and beautiful
  • Meaning: Adding a crowning touch of beauty (to); giving added luster (to); cherry on top of the cake.

• Composition:
  • 錦 (きん): When used on its own, this Kanji’s reading is にしき. It means “brocade” or “fine dress”, representing beautiful clothing.
  • 上 (じょう): This easy Kanji means “up” or, in this case, “on top of”.
  • 添 (てん): This Kanji holds many meanings but they are all related to the idea of “adding” to something else. A few English possible translations are: “to accompany”, “to garnish”, “to marry” (with something).
  • 花 (か): This Kanji means “flower”.

• Notes:
  • This expression can also be seen as 錦上に花を添う (きんじょうにはなをそう) and holds the exact same meaning.
  • Careful not to write 「添花」as「添加」.
  • This expression originates from one poem by the poet the calligrapher and poet Huang Tingjian (1045–1105).

• Example:
  • ちょうど仕事が楽しくてたまらないと思ったら、昇給もらったなんて、まさに錦上添花でした。
  • ちょうどしごとがたのしくてたまらないとおもったら、しょうきゅうもらったなんて、まさにきんじょうてんかでした。
  • Just as I thought I loved my job, I got a raise. It really was the cherry on top of the cake.

This Yojijukugo is in the Kanji Kentei Level 2 (二級) and doesn’t have a synonym.

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目標に集中しても、同時にまっとうできるものがあると気づいたら錦上添花ですね！