Japanese meaning of 無芸大食
Reading:
むげいたいしょく (mugei taishoku)
English Translation:
Good-for-nothing glutton
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Pejorative: a person with no skills who only eats a lot; sometimes self‑deprecating humor.
Cultural Context:
Old‑fashioned register found in essays and TV commentary; tone ranges from teasing to harsh depending on context.
才能や取り柄がなく、食べることばかりの人への否定的評価。自嘲的ユーモアとしても使う。
随筆・バラエティの語りで見られるやや古風な表現。用法次第で軽いからかいにも辛辣な断罪にもなる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase for gluttony without skill; often with “な人.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be mistaken as purely humorous.
Example
Basic Example
彼は無芸大食で、何の役にも立たない。
He is a good-for-nothing glutton, useless in any work.
Applied Example
「お前なぁ…無芸大食で何の役にも立たんぞ！」
You… you’re a good-for-nothing glutton and completely useless!