曲高和寡 — “A melody too high for few to sing along”

曲高和寡 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a melody too high for few to sing along”. Hence, highbrow or abstruse works, ideas, or speeches find few appreciative listeners or are not widely understood or accepted. Literally, “The tune is high, and few can harmonize”.

Frequency

曲高和寡 Pronunciation and Pinyin

曲高和寡 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
曲	qǔ	6	song, tune, or opera
高	gāo	10	high, tall, elevated
和	hè	8	and, with, harmony, peace
寡	guǎ	14	few, lacking, or widow

Example Sentence with 曲高和寡

这位艺术家的抽象画作虽然充满深意，但由于风格独特，不被大众理解，难免有些曲高和寡

Although this artist's abstract paintings are full of profound meaning, their unique style means they are not widely understood by the general public, making them somewhat highbrow and consequently appreciated by only a few.

Origin and Story of 曲高和寡

Song Yu was a renowned writer in the State of Chu during the Warring States period, serving under King Xiang. One day, King Xiang asked him, "Sir, have you recently done anything improper? Why are there so many negative comments about you?"

Song Yu replied nonchalantly, "Indeed, there is such a matter. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, and allow me to tell you a story: Recently, a guest came to our capital, Ying, to sing.

He began by singing the very popular 'Xiàlǐ' and 'Bārén,' and thousands of people in the city sang along with him. Next, he sang the somewhat popular 'Yáng'ā' and 'Xièlù,' and the number of people singing along was much smaller than before, but there were still hundreds.

Later, he sang the more sophisticated and difficult 'Yángchūn' and 'Báixuě,' and only dozens in the city sang along. Finally, he sang highly elegant tunes using the Shang and Yu notes, mixed with fluid Zhi notes, and even fewer people in the city sang along—only a few individuals.

At this point, Song Yu said to King Xiang, "From this, it is clear that the more elegant the melody, the fewer people are able to sing along. Sages possess extraordinary thoughts and expressions, thus they surpass ordinary people. How can common people understand my actions?"

King Xiang listened and said, "Oh! I understand!"