noun
useless person; good-for-nothing
Derogatory term for a person who lacks any talent or skill, likening them to a monkey that cannot perform tricks.
あいつは本当に芸なし猿だな。
That guy is a real good-for-nothing.
彼は仕事ができなくて、周りから芸なし猿と呼ばれている。
He can't do his job and is called a useless person by those around him.
Compound of 芸 (talent, skill), なし (without), and 猿 (monkey). The expression likely derives from the image of a monkey that cannot perform tricks, implying a person with no useful abilities.