Japanese meaning of 足なんて飾りです。偉い人にはそれがわからんのですよ。

Reading: AI

あしなんてかざりです。えらいひとにはそれがわからんのですよ。 (Ashi nante kazari desu. Erai hito ni wa sore ga wakaran no desu yo.)

English Translation:

Legs are just for show. Important people don’t understand that.

Original Scene & Cultural Context

Scene in the Original Work:

The line is spoken by a Zeon engineer in response to questions about a mobile suit’s lack of legs. He dismisses the concern by saying that legs are merely decorative, suggesting that functionality is prioritized over aesthetics. This highlights a tension between the engineers and the military elite.

このセリフは、モビルスーツの足部の欠損や未装備について問われた際、ジオンの技術者が発したもの。「足なんて飾りです」と述べることで、設計思想や現場の事情を冷静かつ皮肉に語っており、上層部の“見た目重視”への不満もにじむ。軍内部の技術者と指揮官の温度差が表れた場面。

Cultural Context:

This line became a cult favorite among Gundam fans and beyond, symbolizing the disconnect between decision-makers and those doing the work. It’s often quoted online to mock superficial decisions or managerial ignorance. It’s a prime example of how anime dialogue can resonate with real-world frustrations in organizational culture.

本セリフはガンダムファンの間で非常に有名で、現場と上層部の温度差を象徴するフレーズとしてネットでも定番化。「見た目」や「上からの指示」に疑問を持つ場面でよく引用され、アニメの枠を超えてビジネス界隈でも“使える皮肉”として扱われることもある。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

•「〜なんて」= used to downplay or criticize something, often conveying dismissal or sarcasm
•「〜です」= polite declarative ending, creates contrast with emotional weight of the quote
• The contrast between polite form and biting remark adds depth to the statement

Trap for English Speakers

Translating “飾り” as simply “decoration” may miss the sarcastic tone. Also, “偉い人にはそれがわからんのですよ” can sound too flat if translated directly; the original contains disdain and irony that needs to be reflected.

Example

Applied Example

営業現場での不便を訴えても、上は資料の見た目ばかり気にしていて、同僚が皮肉を込めて言った。「資料なんて飾りです。偉い人にはそれがわからんのですよ。」

Even after voicing real struggles at the sales frontline, the higher-ups only care about presentation. A coworker mutters sarcastically: “Reports are just for show. The bigwigs don’t understand.”