المعنى
Something that looks good on paper but is impractical or useless in reality.
خلفية ثقافية
Mochi is traditionally associated with the 'God of the New Year' (Toshigami). Offering mochi is a way to ensure a good harvest. Therefore, a 'fake' or 'painted' mochi implies a lack of divine blessing or actual survival. Japanese companies often value 'Nemawashi' (laying the groundwork). A plan presented without Nemawashi is often dismissed as '{絵|え}に{描|か}いた{餅|もち}' because it lacks the social support to succeed. In the Edo period, 'Ukiyo-e' (pictures of the floating world) often depicted food. This idiom reflects the common person's understanding that art is a separate world from the stomach. In modern tech circles, 'Vaporware' (software announced but never released) is often described as '{絵|え}に{描|か}いた{餅|もち}' by Japanese users on social media.
Use it for 'Too Good to be True'
If someone offers you a job that pays millions for one hour of work, it's definitely 'E ni kaita mochi.'
Don't use for people
Calling a person 'E ni kaita mochi' is confusing. Use it for their ideas or plans instead.
المعنى
Something that looks good on paper but is impractical or useless in reality.
Use it for 'Too Good to be True'
If someone offers you a job that pays millions for one hour of work, it's definitely 'E ni kaita mochi.'
Don't use for people
Calling a person 'E ni kaita mochi' is confusing. Use it for their ideas or plans instead.
Pair with 'Gutaiteki'
A great way to use this is to say: 'It's a picture rice cake, so we need a {具体的|ぐたいてき} (concrete) plan.'
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom.
{絵|え}に{描|か}いた______は、{食|た}べることができません。
The idiom specifically uses '{餅|もち}' (rice cake).
Which situation best fits the use of '{絵|え}に{描|か}いた{餅|もち}'?
Select the appropriate context:
The idiom refers to plans that look good but are impossible to realize.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {来月|らいげつ}、{宇宙|うちゅう}に{行|い}きたいな！ B: そんなの、{今|いま}の{僕|ぼく}たちには________________だよ。
Going to space next month is an unrealistic plan, making it a 'picture rice cake.'
🎉 النتيجة: /3
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Real Mochi vs. Painted Mochi
بنك التمارين
3 تمارين{絵|え}に{描|か}いた______は、{食|た}べることができません。
The idiom specifically uses '{餅|もち}' (rice cake).
Select the appropriate context:
The idiom refers to plans that look good but are impossible to realize.
A: {来月|らいげつ}、{宇宙|うちゅう}に{行|い}きたいな！ B: そんなの、{今|いま}の{僕|ぼく}たちには________________だよ。
Going to space next month is an unrealistic plan, making it a 'picture rice cake.'
🎉 النتيجة: /3
الأسئلة الشائعة
4 أسئلةIt can be. If you say it to your boss about their idea, it's very dismissive. Use it with friends or when talking about abstract things like 'government plans.'
No, the idiom is fixed. Even though sushi is famous, 'mochi' is the historical staple used here.
They are very similar! 'Pie in the sky' often implies a reward after death or in the far future. 'E ni kaita mochi' is usually about a plan that fails right now because it's impractical.
Not really. This idiom is inherently skeptical. To be positive, you would say the plan is '{現実的|げんじつてき}' (realistic).
عبارات ذات صلة
{机上|きじょう}の{空論|くうろん}
similarArmchair theory
{有名無実|ゆうめいむじつ}
similarIn name only
{捕|と}らぬ{狸|たぬき}の{皮算用|かわざんよう}
similarCounting skins of badgers not yet caught
{高嶺|たかね}の{花|はな}
contrastFlower on a high peak
