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猫の手も借りたい (ねこのてもかりたい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
extremely busy ; short-handed
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'wanting even the help of a cat,' used to describe a situation where one is so busy or understaffed that any help, no matter how small, would be welcome.
今日きょう
は
スタッフ
が
足た
り
なく
て
、
猫ねこ
の
手て
も
借か
りたい
くらい
だ
。
We're so short-handed today that we could use even a cat's help.
Similar words 忙いそが しい 忙しい is a general adjective for 'busy,' while 猫の手も借りたい is an idiomatic expression emphasizing extreme busyness or shortage of help.
人ひと 手で 不ぶ 足そく 人手不足 is a straightforward noun meaning 'labor shortage' or 'short-handedness,' whereas 猫の手も借りたい is a colorful, figurative phrase conveying the same idea.
Etymology The phrase literally means 'wanting to borrow even a cat's paw.' It is a humorous exaggeration implying that even a cat, which is not typically helpful, would be welcomed as an extra pair of hands when one is extremely busy.
