豚に真珠
Japanese
| Kanji in this term | ||
|---|---|---|
| 豚 | 真 | 珠 |
| ぶた Grade: S |
しん Grade: 3 |
しゅ > じゅ Grade: S |
Etymology
Phrase composed of 豚 (buta, “pig”) + に (ni, directional particle) + 真珠 (shinju, “pearl”), calque of English cast pearls before swine[1].
Phrase
豚に真珠 (hiragana ぶたにしんじゅ, rōmaji buta ni shinju)
- (idiomatic) "pearls to swine" → to cast pearls before swine
Usage notes
The traditional Japanese equivalent is 猫に小判 (neko ni koban, “gold coins to cats”).
Synonyms
- 猫に小判 (neko ni koban): gold coins to cats
References
- Kodansha’s Dictionary of Basic Japanese Idioms, by Jeff Garrison, Kodansha, p. 42
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