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二股膏薬 (ふたまたこうやく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
二ふた 股また 膏こう 薬やく also: ふたまたごうやく
Meanings 1
noun
double-dealer ; timeserver ; fence-sitter
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
Refers to a person who opportunistically switches allegiance between two opposing sides for personal gain. Often used in political or business contexts. The image is of a plaster (膏薬) that can stick to either leg (二股).
あの 男おとこ は 二ふた 股また 膏こう 薬やく で 、 どちら の 派は 閥ばつ に も いい 顔かお を する 。
That guy is a timeserver, trying to stay in good with both factions.
Kanji 二 two, two radical (no. 7) 薬 medicine, chemical, enamel Similar words 日ひ 和より 見み 日和見 means 'wait-and-see attitude' or 'opportunism', focusing on observing the situation before acting, while 二股膏薬 emphasizes actively playing both sides.
内うち 股また 膏ごう 薬やく 内股膏薬 is a similar expression meaning 'double-dealer' or 'turncoat', literally 'plaster on the inner thigh', but is less common.
Etymology A yojijukugo combining 二股 (fork, two sides) and 膏薬 (plaster, ointment). The expression likens a fickle person to a plaster that can be stuck to either leg, implying unreliability and shifting loyalty. The exact historical origin is uncertain.
