KANAE
096Japanese idiom 四字熟語

器用貧乏

Kiyō binbō

“Skilled at everything, rich in nothing.”

Word for wordDexterity and poverty.

The meaning

Those who can do a bit of everything often dig nothing deep. Scattered talent serves everyone but itself; it gains by choosing one furrow.

At the origin

An expression on the flip side of versatility, without contempt for it.

The characters

In practice

Among your talents, pick one to dig into seriously this year.

Themes

Similar proverbs

Related expressions

See also