stench of copper coins; mercenary spirit
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
the smell of copper coins; (fig.) a mercenary or money-grubbing attitude
derogatoryOriginally referring to the metallic odor of ancient copper currency. Now used metaphorically and often disparagingly to describe an obsession with wealth or profit-seeking behavior. Commonly appears in set phrases like 满身铜臭.
Tā他
mǎn满
shēn身
tóng铜
xiù臭
，
yǎn眼
lǐ里
chú除
le了
qián钱
shén什
me么
dōu都
méi没
yǒu有
。
He reeks of greed, seeing nothing but money.
Zhè这
gè个
tān贪
guān官
tóng铜
xiù臭
xūn熏
tiān天
，
shōu收
shòu受
le了
jù巨
é额
huì贿
lù赂
。
This corrupt official stinks of money, having accepted huge bribes.
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Tā他
wéi为
rén人
qīng清
gāo高
，
háo毫
wú无
tóng铜
xiù臭
zhī之
qì气
。
He is a man of integrity, completely free from the taint of greed.
Zhè这
jiān间
wū屋
zi子
gǔ股
tóng铜
xiù臭
pū扑
bí鼻
，
yuán原
lái来
tā他
zài在
qīng清
diǎn点
gǔ古
qián钱
bì币
。
A strong metallic smell filled the room; it turned out he was counting ancient coins.