Refers to worthless or absurd talk; often used in the phrase 与太話 (よたばなし) for tall tales or gossip.
彼の話はいつも与太ばかりだ。
His stories are always just nonsense.
A derogatory term for a worthless or foolish person; somewhat dated and now mainly found in set phrases or older speech.
あんな与太に構っている暇はない。
I don't have time to deal with a good-for-nothing like him.
Describes speech or behavior that is reckless, baseless, or lacking in sense; often used as 与太な.
与太な噂を流すのはやめてくれ。
Stop spreading irresponsible rumors.
Don't take such tall tales seriously.
slow-witted fellow; liar; nonsense · Yotaro (rakugo character)
live a wicked life; play the gangster; commit delinquency · say nonsense; spout rubbish; talk humbug
hooligan; layabout; good-for-nothing; gangster
idle gossip; foolish talk; yarn
Ateji spelling; the kanji are used phonetically and do not contribute meaning.
Katakana spelling; used for emphasis or in casual contexts.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 与太 are ateji, used purely for their sounds. The word may have arisen as slang in the Edo period.