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臍を噛む (ほぞをかむ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-mu)
regret bitterly ; be very sorry
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to bite one's navel', used to express deep regret over something that cannot be undone. Often used in the phrase 臍を噛んでも及ばない (it's no use crying over spilt milk).
あの
時とき
ちゃん
と
勉べん
強きょう
し
て
おけ
ば
よかっ
た
と
、
臍ほぞ
を
噛か
む
思おも
い
だ
。
I bitterly regret not having studied properly back then.
Written forms 臍ほぞ を 噛か む
Standard kanji form for this idiom.
ほぞを 噛か む
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, common in everyday writing.
臍ほぞ を 噬か む
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 噬む instead of 噛む.
Similar words 後こう 悔かい 先さき に 立た たず A proverb meaning 'repentance never comes first', similar in meaning but more general; 臍を噛む is a more vivid, personal expression of regret.
覆ふく 水すい 盆ぼん に 返かえ らず A proverb meaning 'spilt water won't return to the tray', emphasizing irreversibility; 臍を噛む focuses on the emotional regret itself.
Etymology The idiom derives from the image of biting one's own navel out of frustration or regret, an impossible act that underscores the futility of the feeling. The exact origin is uncertain, but it has been used in Japanese literature for centuries.
