Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
馬の骨 (うまのほね) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
expression, noun
person of doubtful origin ; nobody
derogatory
Derogatory set phrase used to dismiss someone as having no respectable background or credentials. Often appears in the pattern どこの馬の骨ともわからない (some nobody from who-knows-where).
彼かれ は 「 あんな 馬うま の 骨ほね に 任まか せ られる か 」 と 怒おこ っ た 。
He got angry, saying, 'How could we leave it to a nobody like that?'
Similar words 名な 無な しの 権ごん 兵べ 衛え Also means an unknown or insignificant person, but 馬の骨 is more contemptuous and focuses on lack of respectable origin, while 名無しの権兵衛 is a milder, sometimes humorous way to say 'anonymous person'.
Etymology Literally 'horse bone'. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from the idea that a horse's bone is worthless and unidentifiable, used metaphorically for a person of no known or respectable lineage.
