猫(ねこ)に小判(こばん)

ねこにこばん
expression
casting pearls before swine; wasted on someone who can't appreciate it
proverb
1. casting pearls before swine; wasted on those who can't appreciate it
Literally 'a gold coin to a cat.' A proverb describing the futility of giving something valuable to someone who cannot understand or appreciate its worth. The 小判(こばん) was an oval gold coin of the Edo period.
これは猫(ねこ)に小判(こばん)だ。
This is like casting pearls before swine.
彼(かれ)に高級(こうきゅう)ワインをあげても猫(ねこ)に小判(こばん)だ。
Giving him fine wine is wasted on him.
興味(きょうみ)のない人(ひと)に名画(めいが)を見(み)せても、猫(ねこ)に小判(こばん)でしかない。
Showing a masterpiece to someone with no interest in it is just casting pearls before swine.

A very common proverb. The 小判(こばん) was a valuable oval gold coin; to a cat it means nothing, just as something precious is wasted on someone who cannot grasp its value.

Usage

Used to comment that something good is being given to, or used by, someone who cannot appreciate it.

Similar proverbs

Related Words

Compare: 馬(うま)の耳(みみ)に念仏(ねんぶつ) (preaching to deaf ears)
Compare: 宝(たから)の持(も)ち腐(ぐさ)れ (wasted talent or possession)
general
Added 2026.6.21 15:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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