Proverb / Kotowaza
毒にも薬にもならぬ
Describing something that has no effect, whether good or bad, and is ultimately useless.
To become neither poison nor medicine
Quick Answer
Describing something that has no effect, whether good or bad, and is ultimately useless.
- Literal Image
- To become neither poison nor medicine
- How to Use It
- Use this to describe an opinion, a person, or a thing that is so bland or ineffective that it doesn't help solve a problem, though it doesn't make it worse either.
Meaning
This expression is used for things or people that provide no benefit but also cause no harm. It suggests that a person's contribution or a specific item is so neutral or mediocre that it fails to make any impact or meaningful difference in a situation.
Literal Image
To become neither poison nor medicine
How to Use It
Use this to describe an opinion, a person, or a thing that is so bland or ineffective that it doesn't help solve a problem, though it doesn't make it worse either.
Tone
This can be used in a dismissive or critical way.
Examples
彼の意見は毒にも薬にもならぬもので、会議の議論を一向に前に進めなかった。
His opinion was neither poison nor medicine, and failed to move the meeting's discussion forward at all.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The nouns for poison and medicine are basic, but the repetitive 'ni mo' structure and the classical negative 'naranu' make it less transparent for beginner learners.
毒
どく / doku
poison
薬
くすり / kusuri
medicine
ならぬ
ならぬ / naranu
does not become (literary/classical negation)
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a negative description. It is not a compliment about something being 'safe' or 'mild'.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to mean something is harmless and therefore good; it specifically implies the absence of any value or helpfulness.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression comes from the idea that while medicine has a positive effect and poison has a negative effect, something that is neither has no influence at all. It is used to describe things that are half-baked and meaningless.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.