隴を得て蜀を望む · godan verb (-mu)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 隴を得て蜀を望む | 隴を得て蜀を望まない |
| Polite | 隴を得て蜀を望みます | 隴を得て蜀を望みません |
| Past polite | 隴を得て蜀を望みました | 隴を得て蜀を望みませんでした |
| Past | 隴を得て蜀を望んだ | 隴を得て蜀を望まなかった |
| Te-form | 隴を得て蜀を望んで | 隴を得て蜀を望まないで |
| Desire | 隴を得て蜀を望みたい | 隴を得て蜀を望みたくない |
| Potential | 隴を得て蜀を望める | 隴を得て蜀を望めない |
| Passive | 隴を得て蜀を望まれる | 隴を得て蜀を望まれない |
| Causative | 隴を得て蜀を望ませる | 隴を得て蜀を望ませない |
| Causative passive | 隴を得て蜀を望ませられるalso 隴を得て蜀を望まされる | 隴を得て蜀を望ませられないalso 隴を得て蜀を望まされない |
| Volitional | 隴を得て蜀を望もう | |
| Polite volitional | 隴を得て蜀を望みましょう | |
| Imperative | 隴を得て蜀を望め | 隴を得て蜀を望むな |
| Conditional | 隴を得て蜀を望めば | 隴を得て蜀を望まなければ |
| Tara conditional | 隴を得て蜀を望んだら | 隴を得て蜀を望まなかったら |
never satisfied with what one gets; always wanting more; give an inch and take a mile
A classical Chinese-derived idiom (故事成語) used to criticize insatiable greed or ambition. Literally refers to a historical figure who, after taking the Long region, immediately set his sights on Shu (Sichuan). Used in formal or literary contexts.
He just got promoted, but he's already aiming for the next position. It's exactly a case of never being satisfied with what one gets.
As soon as that company expanded its market share, it started planning to go overseas. This is what they mean by giving someone an inch and having them take a mile.