Nehori Hahori (根掘り葉掘り - Thoroughly)

Apr 23, 2019 14:57
Nehori Hahori

Yesterday, I introduced the term 'ne mo ha mo nai' (根も葉もない), which means that a theory/talk has no foundation.

As another idiom that uses both 'ne' (根) and 'ha' (葉), there is 'nehori hahori' (根掘り葉掘り).

'Ne' (根) means "root," 'ha' (葉) means "leaf," and 'hori' (掘り) means "to dig," so the literal meaning of 'nehori hahori' is "to dig roots and leaves."

Since "root" implies an essence of things, this idiom has the meaning of "thoroughly."

'Hahori' (葉掘り - "to dig leaves") is a little semantically strange -- this was just added to emphasize the meaning of 'nehori' (根掘り - "to dig roots") and adjust the rhythm of this idiom.

[Example] 'Kare wa kanojo no koto wo nehori hahori kiite kita' (彼は彼女のことを根掘り葉掘り聞いてきた - "He asked me about every detail of her").
根掘り葉掘り

昨日は、何も根拠をないことを表す言葉「根も葉もない」を紹介しました。

「根」と「葉」を使う表現としては、他に「根掘り葉掘り」があります。

「根」は "root"、「葉」は "leaf"、「掘り」は "to " を意味するので、「根掘り葉掘り」の文字どおりの意味は "to dig roots and leaves" となります。

「根を掘り起こす」ことから、この言葉は「徹底的に」や「しつこく」といった意味を持ちます。

「葉を掘る」はおかしな表現ですが、これは「根堀り」の意味を強めるため、また語調を合わせるためにつけられたものです。

【例文】彼は彼女のことを根掘り葉掘り聞いてきた。
No. 1 Niko-Neko's correction
  • Yesterday, I introduced the term 'ne mo ha mo nai' (根も葉もない), which means that a theory/talk has no foundation.
  • Yesterday, I was introduced to the term 'ne mo ha mo nai' (根も葉もない), which means that a theory/talk has no foundation.
  • As another idiom that uses both 'ne' (根) and 'ha' (葉), there is 'nehori hahori' (根掘り葉掘り).
  • As for another idiom that uses both 'ne' (根) and 'ha' (葉), there is the phrase 'nehori hahori' (根掘り葉掘り).
  • Since "root" implies an essence of things, this idiom has the meaning of "thoroughly."
  • Since "root" implies the essence of things, this idiom has the meaning of "thoroughly."
  • 'Hahori' (葉掘り - "to dig leaves") is a little semantically strange -- this was just added to emphasize the meaning of 'nehori' (根掘り - "to dig roots") and adjust the rhythm of this idiom.
  • 'Hahori' (葉掘り - "to dig leaves") is a little semantically strange -- it was just added to emphasize the meaning of 'nehori' (根掘り - "to dig roots") and to adjust the rhythm of this idiom.
Wow, you are a wonderful writer! I was being a little picky with your entry because it was so well written. I made my corrections based on what I felt would be the most natural.
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post!
I'm glad to hear you say that. :)
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