Proverb / Kotowaza
海老で鯛を釣る
To gain a great profit or a valuable reward from a small initial investment or gift.
To catch a sea bream with a shrimp.
Quick Answer
To gain a great profit or a valuable reward from a small initial investment or gift.
- Literal Image
- To catch a sea bream with a shrimp.
- How to Use It
- This is used when someone receives a much larger return than what they originally gave or risked. It applies to situations involving gifts, favors, or small business investments.
Meaning
This expression describes obtaining something of high value by offering a small item or making a minor sacrifice. It uses the image of a fisherman using an inexpensive shrimp as bait to land a high-quality sea bream, which is a symbol of luck and value in Japan.
Literal Image
To catch a sea bream with a shrimp.
How to Use It
This is used when someone receives a much larger return than what they originally gave or risked. It applies to situations involving gifts, favors, or small business investments.
Tone
Neutral or humorous; it can express mild envy or describe a very efficient success.
Examples
同僚に缶コーヒーを一杯奢っただけで、代わりに高価なランチをご馳走になってしまった。まさに海老で鯛を釣るだね。
I just treated my colleague to one canned coffee, and in return, they treated me to an expensive lunch. It was truly like catching a sea bream with a shrimp.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic kanji for animals and fishing. The grammar is a simple 'A de B wo verb' structure.
海老
えび / ebi
shrimp; prawn
鯛
たい / tai
sea bream (a high-quality fish)
釣る
つる / tsuru
to fish; to catch; to lure
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this regarding a gift you received might sound like you are assessing its monetary value rather than the sentiment.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe a fair trade or an equal exchange; it specifically requires the outcome to be much larger than the input.
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Origin
This expression stems from the practice of using cheap shrimp (ebi) as bait on a hook to catch a high-quality sea bream (tai), which is regarded as the king of fish in Japan. It represents a highly efficient fishing method. The phrase is sometimes shortened to 'Ebitai'.
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Source Note
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