Japanese meaning of 火中の栗を拾う
Reading:
かちゅうのくりをひろう (kachū no kuri o hirō)
English Translation:
To pull someone’s chestnuts out of the fire
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To pull someone’s chestnuts out of the fire.
Cultural Context:
Often appears in Japanese political journalism to describe behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
他人の危険な仕事や面倒を引き受けるという意味。
政治報道で、陰でリスクや責任を引き受ける行動を描写する際によく使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 火中 (kachū) = “in the fire” (noun phrase)
• の (no) = possessive/attributive particle
• 栗 (kuri) = “chestnut” (noun)
• を (o) = object marker
• 拾う (hirou) = “to pick up” (verb)
A noun phrase with の modifying another noun, followed by object marker を and a verb, creating a vivid literal image often used metaphorically.
Trap for English Speakers
May be misunderstood as literally picking chestnuts from a fire, missing the risk-taking metaphor.
Example
Basic Example
彼の失敗の後始末を引き受けるなんて、火中の栗を拾うことだ。
Taking on his mess is To pull someone’s chestnuts out of the fire.
Applied Example
呪われた宝箱を一人で回収？火中の栗を拾う行為だ。
Solo-looting a cursed chest? To pull someone’s chestnuts out of the fire.