器用貧乏

Reading

Kana: きようびんぼう

Romaji: kiyoubinbou

Definition

adj-na

noun

1

Jack of all trades and master of none

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

器

Readings: キ、 うつわ

Meanings: utensil, vessel, receptacle, implement, instrument, ability, container, tool, set

用

Readings: ヨウ、 もち.いる

Meanings: utilize, business, service, use, employ

貧

Readings: ヒン、 ビン、 まず.しい

Meanings: poverty, poor

乏

Readings: ボウ、 とぼ.しい、 とも.しい

Meanings: destitution, scarce, limited

Example Sentence

いろいろできるし、みんなから重宝(ちょうほう)されるのはいいけれど、気(き)がついたら器用貧乏(きようびんぼう)といわれないようにな。

➥People know how handy you are to have around. You're a real jack-of-all-trades but make sure you don't turn out to be master of none.