Proverb / Kotowaza
秋茄子は嫁に食わすな
Autumn eggplants are either too delicious to share with a daughter-in-law or should be avoided for her health.
Don't let your daughter-in-law eat autumn eggplants.
Quick Answer
Autumn eggplants are either too delicious to share with a daughter-in-law or should be avoided for her health.
- Literal Image
- Don't let your daughter-in-law eat autumn eggplants.
- How to Use It
- It is used to describe the complex relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law, or to refer to traditional beliefs about seasonal foods and health.
Meaning
This expression has two primary interpretations. One interpretation suggests that autumn eggplants are so tasty that a mother-in-law would spitefully keep them from her daughter-in-law. The other interpretation suggests that because eggplants are believed to cool the body, they are withheld to protect a daughter-in-law's health and fertility.
Literal Image
Don't let your daughter-in-law eat autumn eggplants.
How to Use It
It is used to describe the complex relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law, or to refer to traditional beliefs about seasonal foods and health.
Tone
The tone can range from humorous to cautionary, depending on which interpretation is emphasized.
Examples
お義母さん、今年の秋茄子もおいしいですね」と嫁が言うと、姑は「『秋茄子は嫁に食わすな』って言うからのう」と冗談めかして返した。
When the daughter-in-law said, 'Mother, this year's autumn eggplants are delicious too, aren't they?' the mother-in-law jokingly replied, 'Well, they do say, "Don't let your daughter-in-law eat autumn eggplants."'
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the individual words are basic, the idiomatic context and the specific negative imperative form 'kuwasuna' make it an intermediate expression.
秋茄子
あきなす / akinasu
autumn eggplant
嫁
よめ / yome
daughter-in-law
食わす
くわす / kuwasu
to let eat; to feed
Usage Profile
Usage note: Be careful when using this, as it can sound like you are being mean to a daughter-in-law if the humorous intent is not clear.
Misread Risk
Do not assume it always indicates a bad relationship; it can be used as a playful reference to traditional seasonal food wisdom.
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Origin
There are several theories regarding the origin of this expression. One theory suggests it reflects the spite of a mother-in-law who refuses to share delicious autumn eggplants with her daughter-in-law. Another theory posits it as a gesture of concern, as eggplants are believed to cool the body, which was thought to be unsuitable for a daughter-in-law who might become pregnant. A historical theory suggests it originated from a poem in the Kamakura-period collection 'Fuboku Wakasho.' In the poem, 'yome' referred to 'night-eyes' (rats), meaning the delicious eggplants should be kept safe from pests. Over time, 'yome' was reinterpreted to mean a daughter-in-law.
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