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親のすねをかじる (おやのすねをかじる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
live off one's parents ; depend on one's parents financially
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression; literally 'gnaw at one's parents' shins'. Used for adults who rely on their parents for financial support, often with a negative or self-deprecating connotation.
いつ まで も 親おや の すね を かじっ て いる わけ に は いか ない 。
I can't keep depending on my parents forever.
Written forms 親おや のすねをかじる
Most common spelling; uses kana for すね and かじる for readability.
親おや の 脛すね を 齧かじ る
Full kanji spelling; 脛 (shin) and 齧る (gnaw) are less common but still seen.
親おや の 臑すね を 噛かじ る
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji variant; 臑 is an uncommon form of 脛, and 噛る is a nonstandard rendering of かじる.
Kanji 親 parent, intimacy, relative Similar words パラサイトシングル A more modern, sociological term for an unmarried adult who lives with and depends on their parents; 親のすねをかじる is a traditional idiom with a more vivid, judgmental tone.
自じ 立りつ する Means 'to become independent'; the opposite of 親のすねをかじる.
Etymology Literally 'to gnaw at one's parents' shins', implying a child who is still metaphorically attached to and feeding off their parents. The exact origin is uncertain, but it vividly depicts financial dependence.
