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猫に小判. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
猫に小判, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
猫に小判 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
猫に小判 you have here. The definition of the word
猫に小判 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
猫に小判, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Etymology
Phrase composed of 猫 (neko, “cat, cats”) + に (ni, “to”, directional particle) + 小判 (koban, a kind of traditional gold coin). Literally, “gold coins to cats”.
First cited to a text from 1687.
Pronunciation
Idiom
猫に小判 • (neko ni koban)
- to give something valuable to someone who does not understand that value: to cast pearls before swine
- Synonyms: 豚に真珠 (buta ni shinju), 犬に論語 (inu ni Rongo), 馬耳東風 (baji tōfū), 馬の耳に念仏 (uma no mimi ni nenbutsu)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shōgaku Tosho (1988) 国語大辞典（新装版） (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN
- ^ Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 (in Japanese), Third edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō, →ISBN
- ^ Matsumura, Akira, editor (1995), 大辞泉 (in Japanese), First edition, Tokyo: Shogakukan, →ISBN