Proverb / Kotowaza
蟹の横這い
Refers to a biased or unorthodox approach that fails to move things straight forward, or a lack of real progress.
a crab crawling sideways
Quick Answer
Refers to a biased or unorthodox approach that fails to move things straight forward, or a lack of real progress.
- Literal Image
- a crab crawling sideways
- How to Use It
- Used to describe or criticize a situation where an indirect or biased approach leads to a lack of meaningful progress.
Meaning
Just as a crab can only walk sideways, this proverb describes people or methods that deviate from the straightforward or orthodox path. It points out that skewed thinking or eccentric approaches prevent direct advancement. It also serves as a metaphor for situations where things move laterally without making any actual forward progress.
Literal Image
a crab crawling sideways
How to Use It
Used to describe or criticize a situation where an indirect or biased approach leads to a lack of meaningful progress.
Tone
Critical
Examples
「あの人の交渉の仕方は蟹の横這いで、いつも話が横道に逸れて肝心なことが決まらない。」
That person's negotiation style is like a crab crawling sideways; the conversation always veers off track, and the important matters are never decided.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary is relatively simple, but 'yokobai' is a specific compound used to describe sideways movement or leveling off.
蟹
かに / kani
crab
横這い
よこばい / yokobai
crawling sideways, moving laterally without progress
Usage Profile
Usage note: Avoid using it casually to describe something merely moving to the side; it carries a critical tone about a flawed method or a lack of forward progress.
Misread Risk
Do not read it only as a literal statement about a crab's movement; the main point is the failure to take an orthodox, straightforward path.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression stems from the biological fact that crabs can only walk sideways. It transferred into a metaphor for being unable to walk straight ahead, representing situations where a person cannot follow the proper or orthodox path, or where progress only moves laterally rather than forward.
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.