Proverb / Kotowaza
猫に小判
Giving something of great value to someone who cannot appreciate or understand its worth.
Gold coins to a cat
Quick Answer
Giving something of great value to someone who cannot appreciate or understand its worth.
- Literal Image
- Gold coins to a cat
- Closest Equivalent
- Cast not your pearls before swine
- How to Use It
- Used when someone is given something high-quality or expensive but treats it with indifference or cannot use it effectively. It can also describe owning something advanced without having the skills to operate it.
Meaning
This proverb describes a situation where a valuable object or opportunity is wasted because the recipient lacks the knowledge or interest to recognize its significance. Even the most precious items are useless if the person receiving them does not understand their true value.
Literal Image
Gold coins to a cat
Equivalent Proverbs
Cast not your pearls before swine
Source-listed English expression with a similar lesson.
How to Use It
Used when someone is given something high-quality or expensive but treats it with indifference or cannot use it effectively. It can also describe owning something advanced without having the skills to operate it.
Tone
Can be used with a sense of irony or criticism regarding a waste of resources.
Examples
子どもに高級ワインを贈っても猫に小判だ。
Giving high-quality wine to a child is like giving gold coins to a cat.
音楽に興味のない人にコンサートのチケットを渡すのは猫に小判だろう。
Giving concert tickets to someone with no interest in music would be a waste of a good opportunity.
最新のパソコンを買ったが、使いこなせず猫に小判状態だ。
I bought the latest computer, but I cannot use it properly, so it is a 'gold coins to a cat' situation.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic vocabulary like 'cat' and 'gold coin', but the metaphorical meaning requires an understanding of idiomatic usage.
猫
ねこ / neko
cat
小判
こばん / koban
gold coin (Edo period currency)
Usage Profile
Usage note: Be careful when using this directly toward someone, as it implies they lack the intelligence or taste to appreciate something.
Misread Risk
This is not a literal statement about how to treat animals; it is a metaphor for a recipient's lack of discernment.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.