Japanese meaning of 羊頭狗肉
Reading:
ようとうくにく (yōtō kuniku)
English Translation:
Putting up a false front; bait-and-switch.
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Putting up a false front, bait-and-switch.
Cultural Context:
From Chinese proverb about hanging a sheep's head but selling dog meat. In Japanese, used for deception or false advertising.
見かけと中身が一致しないこと。
中国の故事に由来し、羊の頭を掲げながら犬の肉を売るという意味。日本では詐欺や虚偽広告を指す。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “の看板” or “の言葉” to describe deceptive appearances (“羊頭狗肉の商売”).
• Typically used critically toward false advertising or hypocrisy.
Trap for English Speakers
Might be taken as a harmless mismatch, but it strongly implies intentional deception or hypocrisy.
Example
Basic Example
あの店は羊頭狗肉で、広告と実際の品質が全く違う。
That shop’s products don’t match its flashy advertisements.
Applied Example
見た目は豪華だが、中身は伴わない。羊頭狗肉だ。
It looked grand, but the content didn’t match — putting up a sheep’s head and selling dog meat.