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同じ穴のムジナ (おなじあなのむじな) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, noun
birds of a feather ; villains of the same stripe
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning people of the same (usually bad) kind; literally 'badgers of the same hole'. Often used to imply that two or more people are equally guilty or share the same unsavory character.
は
同おな
じ
穴あな
のムジナ
で
、
どちら
も
信しん
用よう
でき
ない
。
They are villains of the same stripe; neither can be trusted.
Written forms 同おな じ 穴あな のムジナ
Common katakana spelling for the animal name in this idiom.
同おな じ 穴あな の 狢むじな
Kanji spelling using 狢; less common but still seen.
同おな じ 穴あな のむじな
All-hiragana spelling; sometimes used for clarity or in children's contexts.
Similar words 類るい は 友とも を 呼よ ぶ A proverb meaning 'birds of a feather flock together', focusing on the natural tendency of similar people to gather. 同じ穴のムジナ is more accusatory, implying shared guilt or bad character.
同どう 類るい A neutral noun meaning 'the same kind' or 'similar people'. 同じ穴のムジナ carries a stronger negative connotation and is idiomatic.
Etymology The phrase literally means 'badgers of the same hole'. It originates from the idea that badgers (ムジナ) living in the same burrow are alike in nature, and by extension, people who associate closely share the same (often unsavory) traits. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it has been used as a set phrase for centuries.
