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獅子身中の虫 (shishishinchuunomushi) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
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の
虫むし
で
、
内ない
部ぶ
から
組そ
織しき
を
壊こわ
そう
と
し
て
い
た
。
He was truly a snake in the bosom, trying to destroy the organization from within.
The phrase 'a worm in the lion's body' refers to a traitor within one's own circle.
Kanji 子 child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM 身 somebody, person, one's station in life Related words 内ない 通つう 者しゃ 内通者 is a more direct term for an informant or collaborator with an enemy, while 獅子身中の虫 emphasizes the betrayal from within one's own trusted group.
裏うら 切ぎ り 者もの 裏切り者 is a general term for a traitor or betrayer, whereas 獅子身中の虫 is a metaphorical idiom specifically for someone who harms the group they belong to.
Written forms 獅し 子し 身しん 中ちゅう の 虫むし
Standard kanji form for this idiomatic expression.
獅し 子し 心しん 中ちゅう の 虫むし
irregular kanji usage
Variant with irregular kanji usage; 心中 is normally read しんじゅう, but here it is read しんちゅう.
Etymology Literally 'a worm in the lion's body'. The expression originates from a Buddhist parable in which a lion is killed by parasites from within, symbolizing that the greatest threat often comes from inside one's own group.
虫むし
