藪
や
ぶ
Meanings
1
Only with reading やぶ
Refers to a dense growth of shrubs, bushes, or small trees; often implies a wild, tangled area.
A thicket has grown in the corner of the garden.
A cat came out of the bushes.
2
abbreviationusually written using kana alone
Abbreviation of 藪医者 (やぶいしゃ), meaning an incompetent or unskilled doctor. Usually written in kana. Often used humorously or derogatorily.
See also: やぶ医者 (やぶいしゃ)
That doctor is said to be a quack.
If you get treated by a quack, you'll get worse instead.
Usage patterns
- 藪をかき分けるto push one's way through a thicket
I pushed through the thicket and made my way along the mountain path.
- 藪にかかるto end up seeing a quack doctor
If you go to a quack like that, you'll get worse instead of better.
- 藪に隠れるto hide in the bushes
The cat is hiding in the bushes and won't come out.
Expressions
- 藪の中mystery due to conflicting accounts; unknown truth; in a grove (literal)
- 藪から棒out of the blue; bolt from the blue; complete surprise
- 藪から棒にout of the blue; all of a sudden; unexpectedly
- 藪をつついて蛇を出すstir up trouble for oneself; poke the bush and scare out a snake