Japanese meaning of 我田引水
Reading:
がでんいんすい (gaden insui)
English Translation:
Acting in one's own interest. / Self-serving.
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To act only in one's own interest, even at the expense of others, and to manipulate situations for personal gain. It criticizes selfish or opportunistic behavior that ignores the well-being of others.
Cultural Context:
Originating from an agricultural metaphor, it is now widely used in politics, business, and interpersonal criticism in Japan.
自分だけが得をしようとして、他人の立場や迷惑を顧みずに自分勝手な行動をとること。他者の利益や社会のルールを無視した、利己的で身勝手な振る舞いを指します。
農業の比喩に由来し、現代では政治、ビジネス、人間関係の批判で広く使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• "Acting in one's own interest." / "Self-serving." = Used to describe behavior that puts one's own needs above others.
• Often used in a negative or critical sense.
Trap for English Speakers
Be careful not to translate too literally as "drawing water to one's own field"; it is an idiom meaning selfishness or self-serving actions.
Example
Basic Example
会議での彼の発言は我田引水だった。
His comments in the meeting were acting in his own interest.
Applied Example
「その案、お前の得になるだけだろ。我田引水じゃないか。」
That plan only benefits you. That’s acting in your own interest.