【No. 1205】Moto mo Ko mo nai (元も子もない - Losing Everything/Makes No Sense)
Apr 6, 2018 19:19
When you lose everything or an original purpose, we express the situation using the Japanese phrase 元も子もない (moto mo ko mo nai).
元 (moto) means 元金 (gankin - "principal") and 子 (ko) means 利子 (rishi - "interest").
Also, the expression AもBもない (A mo B mo nai) means "There is neither A nor B."
That is to say, the literal meaning of "moto mo ko mo nai" is "There are neither principals nor interests."
Originally, this phrase meant a situation where you not only couldn't earn interests but also lose your principal as a result of an investment.
This usage was extended, and it has come to be used when expressing that you lose the original significance or purpose.
元 (moto) means 元金 (gankin - "principal") and 子 (ko) means 利子 (rishi - "interest").
Also, the expression AもBもない (A mo B mo nai) means "There is neither A nor B."
That is to say, the literal meaning of "moto mo ko mo nai" is "There are neither principals nor interests."
Originally, this phrase meant a situation where you not only couldn't earn interests but also lose your principal as a result of an investment.
This usage was extended, and it has come to be used when expressing that you lose the original significance or purpose.
元も子もない
失う必要のなかったものまで失われることや、本来の意義が失われることを、日本語で「元も子もない」と言います。
「元」は「元金」のことを、「子」は「利子」のことを表しています。
そして「AもBもない」という表現は、"There is neither A nor B" という意味です。
すなわち「元も子もない」の文字どおりの意味は、「元金も利子もない」となります。
もともとこの言葉は、投資の結果、利子を得られなかっただけでなく、元金まで失うことを指しました。
この意味が広がり、現在では「本来の意義や目的が失われること」を表す際に利用されるようになりました。
失う必要のなかったものまで失われることや、本来の意義が失われることを、日本語で「元も子もない」と言います。
「元」は「元金」のことを、「子」は「利子」のことを表しています。
そして「AもBもない」という表現は、"There is neither A nor B" という意味です。
すなわち「元も子もない」の文字どおりの意味は、「元金も利子もない」となります。
もともとこの言葉は、投資の結果、利子を得られなかっただけでなく、元金まで失うことを指しました。
この意味が広がり、現在では「本来の意義や目的が失われること」を表す際に利用されるようになりました。
Corrections (1)
No. 1 eternal
- When you lose everything or an original purpose, we express the situation using the Japanese phrase 元も子もない (moto mo ko mo nai).
- When you lose everything or your original purpose, we express the situation using the Japanese phrase 元も子もない (moto mo ko mo nai).
- 元 (moto) means 元金 (gankin - "principal") and 子 (ko) means 利子 (rishi - "interest").
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Also, the expression AもBもない (A mo B mo nai) means "There is neither A nor B."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- That is to say, the literal meaning of "moto mo ko mo nai" is "There are neither principals nor interests."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Originally, this phrase meant a situation where you not only couldn't earn interests but also lose your principal as a result of an investment.
- Originally, this phrase meant a situation where you not only couldn't earn interest but could also lose your principal as a result of an investment.
- This usage was extended, and it has come to be used when expressing that you lose the original significance or purpose.
- This usage was extended, and it has come to be used when expressing the situation that you've lost the original significance or purpose.
Interesting! I think I've seen this expression before.
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction!
Please use this expression if you have opportunity :)
Thank you so much for the correction!
Please use this expression if you have opportunity :)