Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 三日坊主
Voice sample:
みっかぼうず (mikka bouzu)
English Translation:
Quitter, someone who never sticks with anything
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Literally “a three-day monk”; someone who gives up quickly and cannot keep anything up.
日本語で読む
あきっぽく、何をしても長続きしないこと。また、そういう人。
Cultural Context:
It is commonly explained as someone who became a monk but quit after three days because the training was hard. It is often used about diaries, diets or exercise, including about yourself.
日本語で読む
出家したものの修行がつらくて三日でやめてしまう人のこと、と説明されることが多い。日記やダイエット、運動などが続かないときに、自分のことにもよく使う。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun; often “三日坊主で終わる” or “三日坊主になる.”
日本語で読む
•「三日坊主で終わる」「三日坊主になる」のように使う。
Trap for English Speakers
三日 is read みっか, not さんにち. 坊主 here means a Buddhist monk, not a shaved-head hairstyle.
日本語で読む
「三日」は「みっか」と読む。「坊主」は髪型ではなく、お坊さんのこと。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
毎朝走ると決めたのに、三日坊主で終わってしまった。
I decided to run every morning, but I gave up after three days.
Example 2Applied Example
手裏剣の朝練を始めた新入りは、案の定三日坊主だった。
As expected, the newcomer who started morning shuriken practice quit after three days.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「三日坊主」 mean?