Signification
Vague, elusive, or impossible to grasp, understand.
Contexte culturel
In Japanese business culture, being 'aimai' (vague) is sometimes a strategy to avoid conflict, but '{雲|くも}を{掴|つか}むよう' is a negative critique of that vagueness when it becomes unproductive. Japanese authors like Natsume Soseki often used cloud imagery to describe the elusive nature of the human heart and modern identity. Clouds represent the 'empty' nature of reality. Trying to grab them is a metaphor for the foolishness of trying to attach oneself to temporary things. Ironically, 'The Cloud' (computing) is called '{クラウド|くらうど}' in Japanese. People sometimes joke that explaining cloud computing to the elderly is '{雲|くも}を{掴|つか}むような{話|はなし}'.
Use it to be 'Politely Critical'
In Japanese, saying 'I don't understand' can be too direct. Saying 'It's like grabbing a cloud' shifts the blame to the abstract nature of the topic.
Don't use for weather
If you are literally trying to touch a cloud on a mountain, just use literal language. This is almost always figurative.
Signification
Vague, elusive, or impossible to grasp, understand.
Use it to be 'Politely Critical'
In Japanese, saying 'I don't understand' can be too direct. Saying 'It's like grabbing a cloud' shifts the blame to the abstract nature of the topic.
Don't use for weather
If you are literally trying to touch a cloud on a mountain, just use literal language. This is almost always figurative.
Teste-toi
Choose the most natural way to complete the sentence.
{彼|かれ}の{説明|せつめい}は（ ）ようで、さっぱりわからない。
The idiom is '{雲|くも}を{掴|つか}む' (to grab a cloud).
Fill in the missing particle to complete the idiom.
{雲|くも}を{掴|つか}む（ ）な{話|はなし}はやめて、もっと{具体的|ぐたいてき}に{話|はな}してください。
When modifying a noun like '{話|はなし}', we use '{ような}'. The blank requires 'よう'.
In which situation would you use '{雲|くも}を{掴|つか}むよう'?
Select the appropriate scenario:
The idiom describes something vague and lacking substance.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {将来|しょうらい}、どうなりたいの？ B: {世界中|せかいじゅう}の{人|ひと}を{笑顔|えがお}にしたいんだ。 A: それは（ ）{話|はなし}だね。もっと{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{計画|けいかく}はないの？
A vague dream with no plan is a 'cloud-grabbing story'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices{彼|かれ}の{説明|せつめい}は（ ）ようで、さっぱりわからない。
The idiom is '{雲|くも}を{掴|つか}む' (to grab a cloud).
{雲|くも}を{掴|つか}む（ ）な{話|はなし}はやめて、もっと{具体的|ぐたいてき}に{話|はな}してください。
When modifying a noun like '{話|はなし}', we use '{ような}'. The blank requires 'よう'.
Select the appropriate scenario:
The idiom describes something vague and lacking substance.
A: {将来|しょうらい}、どうなりたいの？ B: {世界中|せかいじゅう}の{人|ひと}を{笑顔|えがお}にしたいんだ。 A: それは（ ）{話|はなし}だね。もっと{具体的|ぐたいてき}な{計画|けいかく}はないの？
A vague dream with no plan is a 'cloud-grabbing story'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsIt can be slightly critical, as it implies the other person isn't being clear. Use it with caution with superiors.
Yes, if they are mysterious and 'cool,' but it usually implies you are frustrated by not knowing them.
The most common opposite is '{具体的|ぐたいてき}' (concrete/specific).
Expressions liées
{捕|つか}みどころのない
synonymSlippery, hard to pin down.
{五里霧中|ごりむちゅう}
similarTotally at a loss; in a fog.
{絵|え}に{描|か}いた{餅|もち}
similarA pie in the sky; something that looks good but is useless.
{具体的|ぐたいてき}
contrastConcrete, specific.
