'Wú jià zhī bǎo' literally means 'a treasure without price' — it combines 无 (wú, 'without'), 价 (jià, 'price' or 'value'), 之 (zhī, a classical possessive particle meaning 'of'), and 宝 (bǎo, 'treasure' or 'precious thing'). Together, the phrase conveys something of immeasurable worth — not just expensive, but irreplaceable and deeply meaningful. It’s often used for rare cultural relics, exceptional works of art, or profoundly cherished people or relationships.

This idiom carries a formal, literary tone and appears frequently in written Chinese, historical narratives, and respectful speech. While it can describe physical objects like antiques or endangered species, it’s equally common in metaphorical contexts — for example, praising someone’s integrity, wisdom, or kindness as 'wú jià zhī bǎo'. It reflects a core Chinese value: that true worth transcends monetary measurement.