Japanese meaning of 蓼食う虫も好き好き
Reading:
たでくうむしもすきずき (tade kū mushi mo sukizuki)
English Translation:
To each his own
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To each his own.
Cultural Context:
Resonates with Japanese social norms of avoiding direct conflict by respecting differences.
好みや価値観は人それぞれという意味。
意見や好みの違いを受け入れ、衝突を避ける日本的な社会規範と共鳴する。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 蓼 (tade) = “water pepper” (a pungent plant) (noun)
• 食う (kuu) = “to eat” (verb, plain form)
• 虫 (mushi) = “insect” (noun)
• も (mo) = particle meaning “even” or “also”
• 好き好き (sukizuki) = “likes and dislikes” (noun, reduplicated form for emphasis)
A compound clause where the first part is a relative clause modifying “insect,” followed by も and a noun expressing individual preference.
Trap for English Speakers
Could be taken literally as eating knotweed or insects instead of personal taste.
Example
Basic Example
そのデザイン、賛否あるね。蓼食う虫も好き好き。
That design divides opinions—To each his own.
Applied Example
推しキャラの好みは人それぞれ。蓼食う虫も好き好き。
Everyone’s waifu picks are different—To each his own.