Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Working hard but gaining nothing except exhaustion. This proverb describes wasted effort.
日本語で読む
苦労したのに何の成果もなく、疲れだけが残ること。むだに終わった努力を表します。
Cultural Context:
It is also known as the ほ card in the Edo-style Iroha karuta card game.
日本語で読む
江戸いろはかるたの「ほ」の札としても知られています。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
儲け means "profit"; the only "profit" is くたびれ (tiredness), an ironic twist.
日本語で読む
「儲け」は利益のことで、得たものは「くたびれ（疲れ）」だけという皮肉な表現です。
Trap for English Speakers
骨折り does not mean breaking a bone; it means hard work.
日本語で読む
「骨折り」は骨折ではなく、苦労して働くことです。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
三時間並んだのに売り切れなんて、骨折り損のくたびれ儲けだ。
I waited in line for three hours and it sold out. All that effort, and only tiredness to show for it.
Example 2Applied Example
一晩かけて敵の城に忍び込んだが、宝の蔵はすでに空だった。骨折り損のくたびれ儲けである。
The ninja spent all night sneaking into the enemy castle, but the treasure house was already empty. All that effort, and only tiredness to show for it.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「骨折り損のくたびれ儲け」 mean?