This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

捕らぬ狸の皮算用

獲らぬ狸の皮算用、 取らぬ狸の皮算用

Reading

Kana: とらぬたぬきのかわざんよう
Romaji: toranutanukinokawazan'you
Kana
Romaji

Definition

exp
1

don't count your chickens before they're hatched; counting raccoon dog skins before they have been caught

Note: proverb

Kanji

Readings: ホ、 と.らえる、 と.らわれる、 と.る、 とら.える、 とら.われる、 つか.まえる、 つか.まる
Meanings: catch, capture
Readings: リ、 ライ、 たぬき
Meanings: tanuki, raccoon
Readings: ヒ、 かわ
Meanings: pelt, skin, hide, leather, skin radical (no. 107)
Readings: サン、 そろ
Meanings: calculate, divining, number, abacus, probability
Readings: ヨウ、 もち.いる
Meanings: utilize, business, service, use, employ
Readings: カク、 え.る
Meanings: seize, get, find, earn, acquire, can, may, able to
Readings: シュ、 と.る、 と.り、 と.り-、 とり、 -ど.り
Meanings: take, fetch, take up