猿(えん)猴(こう)捉(そく)月(げつ)

Meanings

Meanings are shown in English (JMdict).

1. 1

   noun

   trying to reach above one's station and failing; trying to accomplish something beyond one's abilities and failing; monkey catching (a reflection of) the moon (in the water)

   yojijukugo (four-character idiom)

   あの計(けい)画(かく)は、まるで猿(えん)猴(こう)捉(そく)月(げつ)のようで、非(ひ)現(げん)実(じつ)的(てき)すぎた。

   • That plan was far too unrealistic, like chasing the moon's reflection in the water.

   Words:計(けい)画(かく)まるで猿(えん)猴(こう)捉(そく)月(げつ)非(ひ)現(げん)実(じつ)的(てき)

   Verified

   彼(かれ)は権(けん)力(りょく)に執(しゅう)着(ちゃく)し、猿(えん)猴(こう)捉(そく)月(げつ)のように無(む)謀(ぼう)な挑(ちょう)戦(せん)を繰(く)り返(かえ)した。

   • He was obsessed with power and repeatedly made reckless attempts, like trying to catch the moon in the water.

   Words:彼(かれ)権(けん)力(りょく)執(しゅう)着(ちゃく)猿(えん)猴(こう)捉(そく)月(げつ)のように無(む)謀(ぼう)挑(ちょう)戦(せん)繰(く)り返(かえ)す

   Verified

Example sentences 2