expression, godan verb (-ru)
spoiling someone's work; useless effort; labouring in vain
Proverb meaning that no matter how hard one tries, one's efforts may be undone by others or by circumstances. Literally: 'When Gonbei sows seeds, the crows dig them up.' Used to express the futility of effort when external forces interfere.
せっかく書いたレポートを消してしまった。権兵衛が種蒔きゃ烏がほじくるとはこのことだ。
I accidentally deleted the report I had worked so hard on. This is exactly what they mean by 'Gonbei sows seeds and the crows dig them up.'
彼は何度も挑戦したが、いつも誰かに邪魔されてしまう。まさに権兵衛が種蒔きゃ烏がほじくるだ。
He tried many times, but someone always interfered. It's truly a case of 'Gonbei sows seeds and the crows dig them up.'