Proverb / Kotowaza
犬と猿
To be at loggerheads like dogs and monkeys; a relationship of mutual hostility and incompatibility.
Dogs and monkeys
Quick Answer
To be at loggerheads like dogs and monkeys; a relationship of mutual hostility and incompatibility.
- Literal Image
- Dogs and monkeys
- Closest Equivalent
- They agree like cats and dogs
- How to Use It
- Used to describe people, departments, or groups that have a long-standing or inherent animosity toward each other.
Meaning
Describes a relationship between two parties who are constantly quarreling or simply cannot get along due to their clashing natures. It captures the state of being in mutual opposition, where presence alone sparks friction.
Literal Image
Dogs and monkeys
Equivalent Proverbs
They agree like cats and dogs
Used ironically to mean they do not agree at all.
How to Use It
Used to describe people, departments, or groups that have a long-standing or inherent animosity toward each other.
Tone
Can be used as a neutral or slightly critical observation of a bad relationship.
Examples
あの二人は犬と猿のように仲が悪い。
Those two are on bad terms, just like dogs and monkeys.
隣同士の部署が犬と猿の関係で、協力体制が築けない。
The neighboring departments have a 'dog and monkey' relationship, so they can't build a cooperative system.
幼い頃は犬と猿だった兄弟も、大人になって和解した。
The brothers, who were like dogs and monkeys when they were young, reconciled after becoming adults.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary consists of very basic animal words and the simple 'to' particle, though the idiomatic meaning requires learning.
犬
いぬ / inu
dog
猿
さる / saru
monkey
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
Ensure you use it to describe mutual hostility, not just two things that are different.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
In the past, when hunters entered mountains with their dogs, they would occasionally encounter wild monkeys. This encounter would invariably lead to a chaotic and noisy confrontation. The expression is said to have arisen from observing these scenes.
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.