殺雞焉用牛刀 shā jī yān yòng niú dāo

don't use a sledgehammer on a nut; aquila non capit muscam

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. don't use a sledgehammer on a nut
  2. 2. aquila non capit muscam

Characters

Character Meaning
殺 shā
to kill; to attack; to weaken or reduce
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