曲高和寡
曲高和寡 (qǔ gāo hè guǎ) literally means “tune high harmony few” and expresses “sophisticated work appreciated by few”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: qu gao he gua, qu gao he gua,曲高和寡 meaning, 曲高和寡 in english
Sophisticated work appreciated by few
Pronunciation: qǔ gāo hè guǎ Literal meaning: Tune high harmony few
Origin & Usage
This cultural idiom observes that when a tune is too sophisticated (曲高), few can harmonize (和寡) with it. It originates from the 'Book of Han' biography of music master Li Yannian, whose complex compositions impressed Emperor Wu but remained inaccessible to ordinary listeners. During the Tang Dynasty's poetic golden age, it became central to debates about artistic accessibility versus sophistication. The musical metaphor perfectly captured the challenge faced by advanced works - technical excellence often limiting popular appeal. Modern usage spans artistic contexts to specialized fields, describing exceptional work that earns expert admiration while remaining inaccessible to general audiences.
When to Use
Situation: The experimental film received critical acclaim but struggled to find a mainstream audience
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 曲高和寡 mean in English?
曲高和寡 (qǔ gāo hè guǎ) literally translates to “Tune high harmony few” and is used to express “Sophisticated work appreciated by few”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 曲高和寡 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving sophisticated work appreciated by few.
What is the pinyin for 曲高和寡?
The pinyin pronunciation for 曲高和寡 is “qǔ gāo hè guǎ”.