Japanese meaning of 朝三暮四
Reading:
ちょうさんぼし (chou sanboshi)
English Translation:
Fickle / Changeable nature
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To change opinions, attitudes, or decisions frequently, making it difficult for others to trust or rely on you due to inconsistency.
Cultural Context:
From a Chinese fable about a monkey trainer, used in business, politics, and education to warn against trivial differences.
考え方や態度、発言がしばしば変わり、一貫性や信頼性を欠く状態。状況に流されやすい人や優柔不断な対応を表します。
中国の寓話に由来し、本質は変わらないのに見かけに惑わされることを戒める。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase used with “に惑わされる” to warn against superficial change.
Trap for English Speakers
May be misunderstood as a literal time schedule instead of a fable-based idiom.
Example
Basic Example
条件を変えても実質は朝三暮四だ。
Even if the terms change, it’s still being fooled by superficial change.
Applied Example
残業代の上限が上がったと思ったら、基本給が下がった。これは朝三暮四だ。
They raised the overtime cap but cut the base salary — that’s three in the morning and four in the evening.