PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 羊頭狗肉

Reading:

ようとうくにく (yōtō kuniku)

English Translation:

Putting up a false front; bait-and-switch.

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Putting up a false front, bait-and-switch.
日本語で読む
見かけと中身が一致しないこと。

Cultural Context:

From Chinese proverb about hanging a sheep's head but selling dog meat. In Japanese, used for deception or false advertising.
日本語で読む
中国の故事に由来し、羊の頭を掲げながら犬の肉を売るという意味。日本では詐欺や虚偽広告を指す。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase with “の看板” or “の言葉” to describe deceptive appearances (“羊頭狗肉の商売”).<br>• Typically used critically toward false advertising or hypocrisy.
日本語で読む
• 外見や看板と中身が一致しない様子を表す「〜の商売」「〜の言葉」（例：「羊頭狗肉の商売」）。<br>• 虚偽広告や偽善を批判する際によく使われる。

Trap for English Speakers

Might be taken as a harmless mismatch, but it strongly implies intentional deception or hypocrisy.
日本語で読む
無害な食い違いではなく、意図的な詐欺や偽善を伴う点に注意。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. あの店は羊頭狗肉で、広告と実際の品質が全く違う。

    That shop’s products don’t match its flashy advertisements.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 見た目は豪華だが、中身は伴わない。羊頭狗肉だ。

    It looked grand, but the content didn’t match — putting up a sheep’s head and selling dog meat.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「羊頭狗肉」 mean?

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