Chinese idiom · 成语
奇货可居
Meaning
Rare goods worth hoarding; to exploit unique opportunities.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountIn the Shiji (史記), volume 85, the merchant Lü Buwei encounters Zichu, also known as Yiren, a Qin prince living as a hostage in Zhao. Because Qin repeatedly attacks Zhao, the prince receives little consideration there and lives in straitened circumstances. Lü sees something other than an impoverished hostage: a potentially valuable political investment, which he likens to rare merchandise worth holding.
He offers to improve the prince’s position, explaining that his own future prosperity depends on the prince’s rise. His support helps Zichu advance within Qin’s succession arrangements; when Zichu becomes king, Lü becomes chief minister. The commercial image can describe scarce goods retained for a better price or an opportunity deliberately exploited for gain.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
这款相机停产后，有些卖家觉得奇货可居，故意不肯降价。
After this camera was discontinued, some sellers saw its scarcity as a chance to profit and deliberately refused to lower the price.
Implies recognizing and exploiting scarcity or special value; often carries a calculating tone.