Proverbs
Japanese meaning of 漁夫の利
Voice sample:
ぎょふのり (Gyofu no ri)
English Translation:
The fisherman's profit / A third party gains from others' fight
Scene: Other
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
While two sides fight each other, a third party easily takes the gain.
日本語で読む
二人が争っているすきに、関係のない第三者が苦労せずに利益を得ること。
Cultural Context:
It is used about competitions, business or politics, often in the form 漁夫の利を得る.
日本語で読む
試合や商売、政治などの話で、「漁夫の利を得る」の形でよく使います。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
•「漁夫」= a fisherman. •「利」= profit, gain. Often 「漁夫の利を得る」 or 「漁夫の利をさらう」.
日本語で読む
•「漁夫」は漁師のこと。•「利」は利益。「漁夫の利を得る」「漁夫の利をさらう」のように使います。
Trap for English Speakers
It is not about fishing as a job; the fisherman stands for the outsider who gains from others' fight.
日本語で読む
漁業の話ではなく、漁夫は争いの外にいて得をする人のたとえです。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
人気の二人が票を取り合い、三人目の候補が漁夫の利を得て当選した。
The two popular candidates split the vote, and the third candidate won by profiting from their fight.
Example 2Applied Example
二つの城の忍びがにらみ合っているすきに、第三の里の忍びが漁夫の利で巻物を持ち去った。
While the ninja of two castles glared at each other, a ninja from a third village slipped in and walked off with the scroll.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「漁夫の利」 mean?