Proverb / Kotowaza
箸にも棒にも掛からぬ
Something so utterly useless or poor in quality that it is beyond help or redemption.
Caught by neither chopsticks nor a pole
Quick Answer
Something so utterly useless or poor in quality that it is beyond help or redemption.
- Literal Image
- Caught by neither chopsticks nor a pole
- How to Use It
- Used to dismiss something as a total failure or to express that a situation is so hopeless that no action can be taken.
Meaning
Refers to a situation, object, or person that is so completely bad that there is no way to handle, treat, or improve it. It implies that there are no redeeming features or 'hooks' to grab onto, making any attempt at correction or use impossible.
Literal Image
Caught by neither chopsticks nor a pole
How to Use It
Used to dismiss something as a total failure or to express that a situation is so hopeless that no action can be taken.
Tone
Strongly critical and dismissive.
Examples
あの作品は箸にも棒にも掛からぬ出来で、批評する気にもなれない。
That work is such a hopeless failure that I don't even feel like critiquing it.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The proverb uses the classical 'nu' negation and an idiomatic metaphor that requires high-level vocabulary and idiomatic context to understand.
箸
はし / hashi
chopsticks
棒
ぼう / bou
pole; stick
掛からぬ
かからぬ / kakaranu
to not catch; to not hang (classical negation)
Usage Profile
Usage note: This expression is very strong; using it about a person's effort can be extremely insulting.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to mean something is simply 'hard to catch' literally; it specifically refers to a lack of quality or merit.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression refers to something that is too small/slippery to be picked up with chopsticks and lacks any part large enough to be hooked with a pole. It signifies that there is absolutely no way to deal with the object or situation because it has no useful qualities at all. It also describes a state where something is useless even for food or any other purpose.
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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.