Moto mo Ko mo nai (元も子もない - Losing Everything/Makes No Sense)

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。

• 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.