Chinese Idiom 49

Meaning: This idiom translates to "playing the lute to a cow." It describes a futile or pointless endeavor, akin to casting pearls before swine.

Explanation: The phrase humorously suggests the absurdity of attempting to communicate or impress someone who lacks the capacity to appreciate or understand.

Usage: "对牛弹琴" is often used to emphasize the futility of trying to convey a message or idea to someone who is indifferent, oblivious, or unresponsive.

Example: If someone tries to explain complex scientific concepts to a young child, one might say, "向他解释科学概念就像对牛弹琴一样" (xiàng tā jiě shì kē xué gài niàn jiù xiàng duì niú tán qín yī yàng), meaning "Explaining scientific concepts to him is like playing the lute to a cow."