鳴かず飛ばず(nakazu tobazu) is the expression which means you’re not doing well.
Trying hard but it’s not working. This word contains such innuendo.
I think it’s not much strange for foreigners to use in a daily speech.
Rather, that will definetaly makes you sound an advanced learner.
Speaking of the meaning, me personally, the word reminds me of stuff like a ramen restaurant which is not popular.
You can’t tell whether it’s opened or closed at first sight.
But take a closer look, there’s a signboard of “営業中”(Open).
That is the right time to say ”鳴かず飛ばずだなぁ” to yourself (not to the owner for your safe).
”鳴かず飛ばず” is also used for an unpupular actor, or writer, or anything obscure.
It can be used for both humans and objects.
Collocation/Usage
collocation
鳴かず飛ばず…..売れない俳優、売れない作家、流行らないラーメン屋、うまくいかない商売etc…
example
最初は鳴かず飛ばずだったあのラーメン屋も徐々に客が入るようになってきたなぁ。
Origin
I must apologize that the original meaning of “鳴かず飛ばず” is totally different from what I explained above.
I don’t mean to disturb you but I can’t avoid it because I have to tell some history of ancient Chinese king to fully appreciate the word.
King Zhuang, who was the monarch of a country called “Chu”, has not conducted politics properly for three years after his accession to the throne. ” All those who tell me off will be executed,” he said publicly, and he played every nights. At that time, a vassal named Gokyo made a mystery to King Zhuang, saying, “What kind of bird do you think that does not sing or fly on the hill for 3 years?” Then King Zhuang replied, “A bird that hasn’t flown for three years will fly high as if it hits the sky once it flies, and if it cries, it will surprise people.”
It is said that this exchange became the origin of the word and became the meaning of “waiting for the opportunity to play an active role while refraining from doing things in preparation for future success”.
【鳴かず飛ばず】はもともとはポジティブな言葉だった!? 意味や由来・類語を解説 | Domani (shogakukan.co.jp)
The original meaning is “waiting for the opportunity to play an active role while refraining from doing things in preparation for future success”.
Words can change their meaning little by little over time and, or even take on the opposite meaning.
In modern Japan, the former meaning “you’re not doing well” is now prevailing, you don’t need to worry about it when using.
But, you may wonder why the king didn’t interfere in politics of his own country?
He had been pretending to be stupid in order to find out who is a good vassal or bad.
What a king!
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