Meaning
Extremely busy, so much so that one would welcome help from anyone, even a cat.
Cultural Background
Cats are often seen as 'engimono' (lucky charms), but in this idiom, they represent the lowest level of useful labor. This contrast is part of the humor. The idiom reflects the 'all-hands' nature of rice harvesting. If you were still short-handed after the whole village helped, you were truly in trouble. In Japan's high-pressure work environment, using this idiom can be a 'soft' way to complain about overwork without being too direct. Japanese has many animal idioms. While English uses 'busy as a bee,' Japanese uses the cat to show the *need* for help rather than the *act* of working hard.
Use 'hodo' for impact
Adding 'hodo isogashii' makes you sound much more natural and fluent.
Don't use with 'inu'
Even if you are a dog person, the idiom is fixed with 'neko'.
Meaning
Extremely busy, so much so that one would welcome help from anyone, even a cat.
Use 'hodo' for impact
Adding 'hodo isogashii' makes you sound much more natural and fluent.
Don't use with 'inu'
Even if you are a dog person, the idiom is fixed with 'neko'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
{猫|ねこ}の（ ）も{借|か}りたい。
The idiom specifically uses 'te' (hand/paw).
Which situation is most appropriate for this phrase?
When would you say '{猫|ねこ}の{手|て}も{借|か}りたい'?
The phrase is used for extreme busyness.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {仕事|しごと}、{手伝|てつだ}いましょうか？ B: ありがとう！{本当|ほんとう}に（ ）ほど{忙|いそが}しかったんだ。
This fits the context of being busy and needing help.
Match the phrase to the correct meaning.
Match '{猫|ねこ}の{手|て}も{借|か}りたい' with its meaning.
It's a figurative expression for busyness.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Neko no te'
Work
- • Deadlines
- • Meetings
- • Reports
Home
- • Cleaning
- • Cooking
- • Moving
Practice Bank
4 exercises{猫|ねこ}の（ ）も{借|か}りたい。
The idiom specifically uses 'te' (hand/paw).
When would you say '{猫|ねこ}の{手|て}も{借|か}りたい'?
The phrase is used for extreme busyness.
A: {仕事|しごと}、{手伝|てつだ}いましょうか？ B: ありがとう！{本当|ほんとう}に（ ）ほど{忙|いそが}しかったんだ。
This fits the context of being busy and needing help.
Match '{猫|ねこ}の{手|て}も{借|か}りたい' with its meaning.
It's a figurative expression for busyness.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, but use the polite form '{借|か}りたいです'. It's a common way to express that the team is under pressure.
Not at all! It's a humorous acknowledgement that cats are pets, not workers.
You can say '{非常|ひじょう}に{多忙|たぼう}です', but the idiom is often used even in business to add a human touch.
Related Phrases
{目|め}が{回|まわ}る
similarTo be so busy your eyes spin (dizzy).
{盆|ぼん}と{正月|しょうがつ}が{一|いっ}{緒|しょ}に{来|き}たよう
similarLike the Obon and New Year festivals coming at once.
{手|て}が{足|た}りない
synonymNot enough hands.
{閑古鳥|かんこどり}が{鳴|な}く
contrastThe cuckoo cries (meaning the shop is empty/quiet).
