对牛弹琴 in English dui4 niu2 tan2 qin2 Meaning

Meanings

• literally (word for word) to play the lute to a cow (idiomatic expression)
• metaphorically offering a treat to an unappreciative audience
• to cast pearls before swine
• caviar to the general
• to preach to deaf ears
• to talk over somebody's head

Pinyin

dui4 niu2 tan2 qin2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

对dui4right 牛niu2surname Niu 弹dan4crossball 琴qin2guqin 古琴[gu3 qin2] (a type of zither)