Proverb / Kotowaza
夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬ
Outsiders should not interfere in marital disputes because the couple will likely reconcile on their own.
Even a dog will not eat a marital quarrel
Quick Answer
Outsiders should not interfere in marital disputes because the couple will likely reconcile on their own.
- Literal Image
- Even a dog will not eat a marital quarrel
- How to Use It
- This is used as advice to stay out of a couple's private arguments, or to describe a situation where a couple has quickly reconciled after what seemed like a major fight.
Meaning
A quarrel between a husband and wife is a temporary and private matter that is resolved quickly without the need for external help. Because the couple is expected to make up soon, it is considered a waste of time for third parties to mediate or worry about the situation. The expression suggests that these arguments are so trivial that even a dog, which eats anything, would ignore them.
Literal Image
Even a dog will not eat a marital quarrel
How to Use It
This is used as advice to stay out of a couple's private arguments, or to describe a situation where a couple has quickly reconciled after what seemed like a major fight.
Tone
The tone is lighthearted, slightly dismissive, or used as a practical warning for meddling third parties.
Examples
二人が言い争っているけど放っておこう。夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬと言うからね。
Those two are arguing, but let's leave them be. They say even a dog won't eat a marital quarrel.
昨日大喧嘩していたのに、今日はもう仲良く買い物に行っている。まさに夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬだ。
They had a huge fight yesterday, but they're already out shopping together happily today. It’s exactly as the saying goes: even a dog won't eat a marital quarrel.
夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬと言うけれど、今回ばかりは深刻そうだ。
They say even a dog won't eat a marital quarrel, but this time it looks serious.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses vocabulary like 'couple' and 'quarrel,' but the classical negative verb ending 'kuwanu' and the idiomatic nature of the phrase require a higher level of understanding.
夫婦
ふうふ / fuufu
married couple
喧嘩
けんか / kenka
quarrel; fight
犬
いぬ / inu
dog
食わぬ
くわぬ / kuwanu
does not eat (archaic/classical negation)
Usage Profile
Usage note: Be careful using this if you are close to the parties involved, as it might seem like you are trivializing their feelings.
Misread Risk
This proverb should not be used for serious issues like domestic violence or abuse; it is intended for minor, temporary disagreements that the couple can resolve themselves.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression comes from the observation that even a dog, which is known for being unselective and eating almost anything, would find a marital quarrel so trivial or unappealing that it wouldn't even try to 'eat' (deal with or pay attention to) it.
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.