皮かわ算ざん用よう

か

わ

ざ

ん

よ

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

noun

over-optimistic calculation; counting one's chickens before they're hatched

abbreviation

Abbreviation of the proverb 取らぬ狸の皮算用. Used to describe making plans based on uncertain outcomes, often with a critical or cautionary tone.

Expressions

捕とらぬ狸たぬきの皮かわ算ざん用ようcounting one's chickens before they're hatched

Kanji

皮pelt, skin, hide
算calculate, divining, number
用utilize, business, service

Related words

取とらぬ狸たぬきの皮かわ算ざん用よう
The full proverb from which 皮算用 is abbreviated. 皮算用 is used as a shorter, more direct noun form.

Built from

皮かわ+算さん用よう

Etymology

Abbreviation of the proverb 取らぬ狸の皮算用 (counting the pelts of tanuki one hasn't caught yet). The kanji 皮 (skin/pelt), 算 (calculate), and 用 (use) combine to convey the idea of reckoning with something not yet obtained.