割雞焉用牛刀 gē jī yān yòng niú dāo

fig. to waste effort on a trifling matter

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to waste effort on a trifling matter
  2. 2. lit. why use a pole-ax to slaughter a chicken? (idiom)
  3. 3. also written 殺雞焉用牛刀shā jī yān yòng niú dāo

Characters

Character Meaning
割 gē HSK 6
to cut; to cut apart
雞 jī
chicken; fowl; (slang) prostitute
焉 yān
where; how
用 yòng HSK 3
to use; to employ; to have to
牛 niú HSK 2
cow; ox; bull
刀 dāo HSK 4
knife; blade; classifier for knife cuts or stabs