JLPT N1Idioms
濡れ手で粟
Readingあわawa
- Meaning
- わずかな労力で多くの利益を得ること
- Explanation
- 「濡れ手で粟 (あわ)」 is a metaphor for gaining great profit with little effort. It derives from the fact that grabbing millet with a wet hand makes many grains stick. c4 "no results despite hard work" is the opposite meaning; the core of this question is profit gained without effort. Note also that it is the grain 「粟 (millet)」, not 「泡 (bubbles)」.
Original Japanese explanation
「濡れ手で粟(あわ)」は、わずかな労力で多くの利益を得ることのたとえ。濡れた手で粟をつかむと粒が多く付くことに由来する。c4「苦労しても結果が出ない」は正反対の意で、本問の核心は労せず得る利得にある。「泡」ではなく穀物の「粟」である点も押さえたい。
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