Proverb / Kotowaza
下衆の後知恵
A critical term for wisdom or opinions offered by someone only after an event or failure has concluded.
Wisdom after the fact from a person of low character
Quick Answer
A critical term for wisdom or opinions offered by someone only after an event or failure has concluded.
- Literal Image
- Wisdom after the fact from a person of low character
- Closest Equivalent
- Hindsight is always twenty-twenty
- How to Use It
- Use this to criticize someone who tries to sound superior by pointing out what should have been done only after a failure has already occurred.
Meaning
It describes the behavior of someone who remains silent while a situation is unfolding but offers critical advice or claims they knew better once things have gone wrong. The expression serves as a rebuke of this unrefined and petty behavior of acting wise only when the outcome is safe and certain.
Literal Image
Wisdom after the fact from a person of low character
Equivalent Proverbs
Hindsight is always twenty-twenty
The English focuses on the clarity of hindsight, while the Japanese focuses on the petty character of the speaker.
How to Use It
Use this to criticize someone who tries to sound superior by pointing out what should have been done only after a failure has already occurred.
Tone
Highly critical and insulting toward the character of the person being described; use with caution.
Examples
失敗が確定してから「俺ならもっとうまくやれた」と言うのは、下衆の後知恵というものだ。
Saying 'I could have done it better' after a failure is certain is just hindsight from a petty person.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The grammar is a simple noun phrase, but the vocabulary 'gesu' and the compound 'atojie' are advanced and idiomatic.
下衆
げす / gesu
person of low character; unrefined person
後知恵
あとじえ / atojie
wisdom after the fact; hindsight
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a direct insult to someone's character and should not be used in polite or neutral company.
Misread Risk
Do not use this for constructive feedback; it is specifically meant to shame someone for their petty behavior.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
The term 'Gesu' refers to a person of low or base character. The phrase describes the behavior of those who stay silent during a task but offer critical opinions or 'wisdom' after a failure has occurred, claiming they knew what would happen. It is used to warn against the petty behavior of claiming insight only after a result has been decided.
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.