Proverb / Kotowaza
医者の不養生
An expert who gives good advice to others but fails to follow it themselves.
The doctor's neglect of health
Quick Answer
An expert who gives good advice to others but fails to follow it themselves.
- Literal Image
- The doctor's neglect of health
- How to Use It
- Used to point out the irony or hypocrisy of an expert whose personal actions contradict their professional advice. It is applied to professionals like nutritionists, financial planners, or teachers.
Meaning
This expression refers to the irony of a professional, such as a doctor, who encourages others to live healthily while neglecting their own well-being through poor habits. It serves as a metaphor for anyone who preaches high standards or wisdom to others but fails to practice what they preach in their own life.
Literal Image
The doctor's neglect of health
How to Use It
Used to point out the irony or hypocrisy of an expert whose personal actions contradict their professional advice. It is applied to professionals like nutritionists, financial planners, or teachers.
Tone
Contains a sense of irony and can be used as a mild criticism or a humorous observation of human inconsistency.
Examples
健康を説く先生が煙草をやめられないとは、医者の不養生だ。
A teacher who preaches health but can't quit smoking is a case of the doctor's neglect.
Shows the irony of a health educator failing to follow their own lessons.
医者の不養生で、栄養士なのに偏食がひどい。
Like the doctor neglecting their own health, even though she is a nutritionist, her diet is extremely unbalanced.
Highlights the gap between professional knowledge and personal behavior.
節約を勧めるファイナンシャルプランナーが浪費家とは、医者の不養生もいいところだ。
A financial planner who recommends saving but is a spendthrift is the epitome of the doctor's neglect.
The phrase 'mo ii tokoro da' emphasizes the severity of the irony.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses the word for doctor (isha), but 'fuyoujou' is a formal compound describing neglect of health that is not taught at the beginner level.
医者
いしゃ / isha
doctor
不養生
ふようじょう / fuyoujou
neglect of health; lack of self-care
Usage Profile
Usage note: Ensure it is used to describe the irony of an expert, rather than just a general failure to take care of oneself.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe a doctor who is simply bad at their job; it specifically refers to the hypocrisy of an expert not following their own advice.
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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.