Japanese meaning of 濡れ手で粟
Reading:
ぬれてであわ (nurete de awa)
English Translation:
Money for nothing
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Effortless profit with little or no work.
Cultural Context:
Edo-era idiom; appears in finance talk and get-rich criticisms, sometimes with a negative nuance.
ほとんど苦労なく利益を得るという意味。
江戸期の成句。投機・一攫千金批判の文脈で登場し否定的ニュアンスも。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 濡れ手で = “with wet hands” (noun + particle)
• 粟 = “millet” (small grain)
Metaphor for gaining something with little or no effort.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it refers to effortless gain or easy money.
Example
Basic Example
ほとんど苦労せずに利益を得るのは、まさに濡れ手で粟だ。
Earning profit with little effort is truly money for nothing.
Applied Example
新人なのにスポンサー契約…濡れ手で粟だな。
A rookie already getting a sponsorship—money for nothing.