đàn gảy tai trâu
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: đàn gẩy tai trâu
To waste fine words, art, or wisdom on someone incapable of appreciating them.
Lãng phí những lời hay, nghệ thuật hoặc trí tuệ với người không thể đánh giá cao
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
How to use it
✓ Use it when
Lamenting explanations or beauty lost on an unreceptive audience.
✗ Avoid it when
It insults the listener — use with care.
Register: neutralConnotation: disdainful, resignedEra: Traditional – present
Examples
Editorial example (illustrative, not a corpus attestation)
Equivalents & related
Common questions
What does “đàn gảy tai trâu” mean?
To waste fine words, art, or wisdom on someone incapable of appreciating them. Literally: Plucking a lute into a buffalo’s ear.
Is “đàn gảy tai trâu” formal or informal?
đàn gảy tai trâu is generally neutral; connotation: disdainful, resigned.
What is the closest equivalent?
“cast pearls before swine” (English) — direct equivalent.