| 明珠暗投 |
míng zhū àn tóu |
to cast pearls before swine (idiom) / not to get proper recognition for one's talents |
| 明 |
Míng |
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) / surname Ming / Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝 descended from Shennong 神农 Farmer God |
| 明 |
míng |
bright / opposite: dark 暗 / (of meaning) clear / to understand / next / public or open / wise / generic term for a sacrifice to the gods |
| 明珠 |
míng zhū |
pearl / jewel (of great value) |
| 珠 |
zhū |
bead / pearl / CL:粒,颗 |
| 暗 |
àn |
variant of 暗 |
| 暗 |
àn |
dark / to turn dark / secret; hidden / (literary) confused; ignorant |
| 暗 |
àn |
(literary) to close (a door) / to eclipse / confused; ignorant (variant of 暗) / dark (variant of 暗) |
| 投 |
tóu |
to throw (sth in a specific direction: ball, javelin, grenade etc) / to cast (a ballot) / to cast (a glance, a shadow etc) / to put in (money for investment, a coin to operate a slot machine) / to send (a letter, a manuscript etc) / to throw oneself into (a river, a well etc to commit suicide) / to go to; to seek refuge; to place oneself into the hands of / (coll.) to rinse (clothes) in water |