Vocab Info

N1 Expression, Noun

無(な)い物(もの)ねだりasking for the moon, asking for too much

    Dictionary Definition

    1. Expression, Noun

      1. 1.

        asking for the moon, pining for what one doesn't have, thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, asking for too much, asking for the impossible

        Usually written using kana alone

    All Forms

    無いものねだり 【ないものねだり】、無い物強請り 【ないものねだり】

    Details

      • な

      • い

      • も

      • の

      • ね

      • だ

      • り

    • Frequency

      Anime Top 53,600

    Examples

    --:--

    • 無(な)い物(もの)ねだりをするのは時間(じかん)の無駄(むだ)だ。

      It's a waste of time wanting what you don't have.

      • N1

    • 子供(こども)が無(な)い物(もの)ねだりをするので呆(あき)れています。

      I'm exasperated because the child is asking for the moon.

      • N1

    • 不可能(ふかのう)なものを手(て)に入(い)れたいと願(ねが)うのは無(な)い物(もの)ねだりだ。

      Wishing for something impossible is asking for the moon.

      • N1

    • 子供(こども)ならまだしも、大人(おとな)が無(な)い物(もの)ねだりをするなんてみっともない。

      It's one thing for kids, but it's improper for adults to always want what they don't have.

      • N1

    • 両親(りょうしん)に向(む)かって無(な)い物(もの)ねだりをするとは…彼(かれ)はなんて諦(あきら)めが悪(わる)いのでしょう。

      To keep asking his parents for things they can't give him… He surely doesn't know when to quit.

      • N1

    • Get more example sentences!

      Premium users get access to all example sentences on all Vocab.

    Self-Study Sentences

    Study your own way!

    Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.