三日坊主
Meanings
1
quitter; someone who can't stick to anything
Describes a person who gives up easily or never finishes what they start. Literally 'three-day monk', from the idea of someone who enters a monastery but leaves after only three days.
He never sticks with anything; he's a quitter.
My diets always fizzle out after a few days.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉が三日坊主に終わるfor something (a habit, plan, etc.) to fizzle out after just a few days
I meant to exercise every day this year, but I gave up after just three days again.
- 〈事〉を三日坊主で終わらせるto let something fizzle out after only a few days (causative, self-critical)
I quit the diary I'd finally started after only three days.