Proverbs
Japanese meaning of 濡れ手で粟
Reading:
Voice sample:
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.
日本語で読む
ほとんど苦労なく利益を得るという意味。
Cultural Context:
Edo-era idiom; appears in finance talk and get-rich criticisms, sometimes with a negative nuance.
日本語で読む
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)<br>• 粟 = “millet” (small grain)<br>Metaphor for gaining something with little or no effort.
日本語で読む
• 濡れ手で = 名詞「濡れ手」+ 助詞「で」で「濡れた手で」の意味<br>• 粟 = 小粒の穀物「粟」を表す名詞<br>ほとんど努力せず利益を得ることを示す比喩的構造です。
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it refers to effortless gain or easy money.
日本語で読む
濡れた手や粟の直訳に囚われやすいが、苦労せずに得る利益の比喩。
Example
Example 1Basic 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.
Example 2Applied 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.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「濡れ手で粟」 mean?