Proverb / Kotowaza
捕らぬたぬきの皮算用
Counting on something or making plans based on rewards that have not yet been obtained.
Calculating the price of tanuki pelts before the tanuki have been caught.
Quick Answer
Counting on something or making plans based on rewards that have not yet been obtained.
- Literal Image
- Calculating the price of tanuki pelts before the tanuki have been caught.
- Closest Equivalent
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
- How to Use It
- Used to point out that someone is making assumptions about a future success or to advise against relying on rewards that haven't arrived yet.
Meaning
This proverb describes the mistake of making plans based on profits or results that are not yet certain. It likens the situation to a hunter calculating how much money they will make from selling tanuki pelts while the animals are still running wild. It serves as a warning against being over-optimistic about an outcome that has not yet been secured.
Literal Image
Calculating the price of tanuki pelts before the tanuki have been caught.
Equivalent Proverbs
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Both emphasize not relying on uncertain future outcomes.
How to Use It
Used to point out that someone is making assumptions about a future success or to advise against relying on rewards that haven't arrived yet.
Tone
This expression is cautionary and can be used to criticize someone for being over-optimistic or premature in their planning.
Examples
取らぬ狸の皮算用で、まだ受注もしていないのに利益の使い道を考えている。
It is like counting your chickens before they hatch; you are already thinking about how to spend the profits even though you haven't received the order yet.
取らぬ狸の皮算用にならないよう、確実な見込みが立ってから動こう。
Let's wait until we have a certain prospect before we act, so we don't end up counting our chickens before they hatch.
宝くじの当選金の使い道を考えるのは、取らぬ狸の皮算用だ。
Thinking about what to buy if you win the lottery right after purchasing a ticket is just counting your chickens before they hatch.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the individual words like 'tanuki' and 'kawa' are simple, 'toranu' uses a classical negative form and 'kawazanyo' is a specific compound word.
捕らぬ
とらぬ / toranu
not caught (classical negative)
狸
たぬき / tanuki
raccoon dog / tanuki
皮算用
かわざんよう / kawazanyo
calculating profits; counting one's chickens
Usage Profile
Usage note: This can sound quite critical if used toward someone who is excited about a potential success.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe a simple mistake; it specifically refers to premature planning based on unearned rewards.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This proverb dates back to the Edo period. It refers to the comical and foolish act of calculating the potential profit from selling a tanuki's fur before the animal has actually been captured. It points out the absurdity of planning based on outcomes that are not yet guaranteed.
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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.