PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 以逸待労

Reading:

いいつたいろう (ii tsu tairō)

English Translation:

Defeating an enemy by waiting for them to tire while conserving one’s own strength.

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Gaining advantage by waiting while the opponent becomes fatigued.
日本語で読む
相手が疲れるのを待って有利に行動すること。

Cultural Context:

Comes from ancient Chinese military strategy in Sun Tzu's *The Art of War*. Teaches the value of conserving energy while the enemy exhausts themselves.
日本語で読む
孫子の兵法に由来し、「自分は安逸に構え、相手が疲れるのを待って勝つ」戦略を説く。現代ではビジネスやスポーツでも使われる。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase combined with “で待つ” or “を待つ” to express a strategic stance (“以逸待労の構え”).<br>• Common in military, sports, or business strategy contexts.
日本語で読む
• 戦略的姿勢を表す「〜で待つ」「〜を待つ」と組み合わせる（例：「以逸待労の構え」）。<br>• 軍事・スポーツ・ビジネス戦略などで多用される。

Trap for English Speakers

Literal reading may cause confusion about "labor" meaning; it's about conserving energy.
日本語で読む
「労」を労働と誤解しやすいが、体力や精力の消耗を指す。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 将軍は以逸待労の策で敵軍を疲弊させた。

    The general used a strategy of conserving his own strength while waiting for the enemy to tire.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 相手を消耗させてから攻める。以逸待労の戦法だ。

    He let the enemy tire themselves out before attacking — a strategy of defeating the enemy at one’s ease.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「以逸待労」 mean?

More questions: Yojijukugo quiz →