对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín)

Meaning: Reasoning with someone who cannot understand.

Language: Chinese

Literally: Playing the lute to a cow

Category: Animals

Origin: From the ancient Chinese text Mouzi Lihuolun, 2nd century.

More idioms — Animals

• 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú) — To ruin something by adding unnecessary extras.
• 鸡同鸭讲 (jī tóng yā jiǎng) — Complete miscommunication; talking past each other.
• 老虎屁股摸不得 (Lǎohǔ pìgu mō bu dé) — Don't provoke someone powerful or dangerous.
• Det finns ingen ko på isen — There's nothing to worry about.
• Engolir sapos — To put up with unpleasant things without complaining.
• Pagar o pato — To take the blame for something you didn't do.

More Chinese idioms

• 脱裤子放屁 (tuō kùzi fàng pì) — Doing something completely unnecessary and pointless.
• 半斤八两 (bàn jīn bā liǎng) — Six of one, half a dozen of the other — equally bad.
• 臥虎藏龍 (Wò hǔ cáng lóng) — Hidden talented individuals waiting quietly for their moment to shine.
• 马马虎虎 (Mǎmǎhūhū) — So-so; careless and only just passable.
• 拍马屁 (pāi mǎpì) — To flatter or suck up to someone.
• 亡羊补牢 (Wáng yáng bǔ láo) — It's not too late to act after a setback to prevent further loss.

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