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Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 目くそ鼻くそを笑う

めくそはなくそをわらう (Mekuso hanakuso o warau)

English Translation:

Eye gunk laughs at nose gunk

Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Someone laughs at another person's faults without noticing they have the same faults.
日本語で読む
自分の欠点に気づかず、同じような欠点を持つ人を笑うこと。

Cultural Context:

Because it uses rude words, it is said jokingly or critically among friends, not in formal speech.
日本語で読む
下品な言葉を使うので、改まった場ではなく、仲間うちで冗談や批判として使います。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

•「目くそ」= sleep in your eyes. •「鼻くそ」= booger. •「〜を笑う」= to laugh at ~.
日本語で読む
•「目くそ」は目やに、「鼻くそ」は鼻の中のよごれ。•「〜を笑う」は相手をばかにすること。

Trap for English Speakers

It is not about real dirt; both people are equally at fault.
日本語で読む
汚れのことではなく、どちらも同じようなものだという意味です。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. テストで三十点の兄が、二十八点の弟を笑っているのは、目くそ鼻くそを笑うだ。

    My brother, who got 30 on the test, laughing at his little brother's 28 is the pot calling the kettle black.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 手裏剣を外した忍びが、同じく外した仲間を笑うのは、目くそ鼻くそを笑うというものだ。

    A ninja who missed with his shuriken laughing at a friend who also missed: the pot calling the kettle black.

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「目くそ鼻くそを笑う」 mean?

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