noun
Refers to the act of diving or a person who dives, often in contexts like pearl diving or free diving.
彼は素潜りの名人で、もぐりが得意だ。
He is a master free diver and is good at diving.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
unlicensed; unregistered; unqualified
Describes someone practicing a profession without a proper license, such as a doctor or driver. Often used attributively with の.
もぐりの医者に診てもらうのは危険だ。
It's dangerous to be treated by an unlicensed doctor.
もぐりのタクシーには乗らないほうがいい
noun
Refers to a person who is not part of a particular group or community; an outsider or interloper.
村では、もぐりはすぐにわかる。
In the village, outsiders are quickly noticed.
You shouldn't take an unlicensed taxi.
Derived from the verb 潜る (もぐる, 'to dive'). The extended meanings of 'unlicensed' and 'outsider' likely come from the idea of someone operating 'under the surface' or outside official channels.