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杓子定規 (しゃくしじょうぎ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
strict ; inflexible ; stickler for the rules
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
Describes a person or attitude that rigidly adheres to rules without flexibility. Often used critically. The literal image is of measuring everything with a ladle (杓子) as if it were a ruler (定規).
Applying rules inflexibly can sometimes cause more problems.
Written forms 杓しゃく 子し 定じょう 規ぎ
Standard kanji spelling for this yojijukugo.
しゃくし 定じょう 規ぎ
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; less common but still encountered.
Kanji 子 child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM 定 determine, fix, establish Similar words 融通ゆうずう が 利き かない A more general phrase meaning 'inflexible' or 'unable to adapt', while 杓子定規 specifically implies a rigid, rule-bound attitude.
四し 角かく 四し 面めん Another yojijukugo meaning 'formal' or 'stiff', but 杓子定規 focuses more on rule-following rigidity rather than just formality.
Etymology A yojijukugo combining 杓子 (shakushi, 'ladle') and 定規 (jōgi, 'ruler'). The phrase evokes the absurd image of using a curved ladle as a straight ruler, symbolizing rigid, inflexible thinking.
