掌上明珠

Traditional form:

掌上明珠

Pinyin (reading):

zhǎngshàngmíngzhū

Definitions:

• lit. a pearl in the palm (idiom)
• fig. beloved person (esp. daughter)

Characters:

• 掌 - in charge; the palm of the hand, the sole of the foot
• 上 - above, on top, superior; to go up; to attend; previous
• 明 - bright, clear; to explain, to understand, to shed light
• 珠 - gem, jewel, pearl, precious stone

Traditional characters:

• 掌 - in charge; the palm of the hand, the sole of the foot
• 上 - above, on top, superior; to go up; to attend; previous
• 明 - bright, clear; to explain, to understand, to shed light
• 珠 - gem, jewel, pearl, precious stone