Proverb / Kotowaza
痛くも痒くもない
To be completely unbothered by criticism or attacks.
neither painful nor itchy
Quick Answer
To be completely unbothered by criticism or attacks.
- Literal Image
- neither painful nor itchy
- Closest Equivalent
- It doesn’t bother me at all
- How to Use It
- Used to express that another person's criticism, insults, or actions have absolutely no negative effect on you.
Meaning
This expression describes a state of being completely unaffected by negative actions or words. It implies that even when subjected to criticism or attacks, the person feels no impact whatsoever. It is used to show absolute indifference to someone's attempts to cause distress.
Literal Image
neither painful nor itchy
Equivalent Proverbs
It doesn’t bother me at all
A direct English expression of being unaffected.
How to Use It
Used to express that another person's criticism, insults, or actions have absolutely no negative effect on you.
Tone
Defiant and dismissive, showing complete indifference.
Examples
どんな批判を受けても、彼は痛くも痒くもないといった様子で、堂々と自分の意見を述べ続けた。
No matter what criticism he received, he continued to state his opinions confidently, as if it didn't bother him in the slightest.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic adjectives for pain and itchiness in a straightforward negative grammatical structure.
痛く
いたく / itaku
painfully (adverbial form of itai)
痒く
かゆく / kayuku
itchily (adverbial form of kayui)
ない
ない / nai
not
Usage Profile
Usage note: Can sound arrogant if used to dismiss legitimate advice or valid concerns.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe literal medical numbness; it is used metaphorically for emotional or psychological resilience against criticism.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The phrase is an idiom describing a state where one feels neither physical pain nor an itch. It has no specific historical origin and developed as a daily expression to indicate that another person's words or criticism have no effect.
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Source Note
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