expression
counting one's chickens before they're hatched
Proverbial expression warning against making plans based on uncertain outcomes. The literal meaning is 'calculating the value of a raccoon dog's pelt before catching it.'
まだ合格もしていないのに、入学後の計画を立てるなんて、捕らぬ狸の皮算用だ。
Making plans for after enrollment before even passing the exam is like counting your chickens before they're hatched.
宝くじが当たったら何を買おうかと話すのは、まさに捕らぬ狸の皮算用だよ。
Talking about what to buy if you win the lottery is exactly counting your chickens before they're hatched.
A Japanese proverb literally meaning 'calculating the value of a raccoon dog's pelt before catching it.' The phrase uses the image of a hunter estimating profits from an animal not yet captured, equivalent to the English 'counting one's chickens before they're hatched.'