Hand Also Foot Also Cannot Come Out: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Hand also foot also cannot come out”

Te mo ashi mo denai

Meaning of “Hand also foot also cannot come out”

“Hand also foot also cannot come out” is a proverb that expresses a state where one is completely unable to cope with a difficult situation or strong opponent using one’s own power.

This expression uses the body parts “hands” and “feet,” which are the most fundamental when humans take action, to express a completely powerless situation. Hands are a symbol of active actions such as grasping things or working, while feet are a symbol of supporting power such as movement or standing firm. The fact that both “cannot come out” means being in a truly desperate situation where one can neither attack nor defend, neither advance nor escape.

Usage scenarios include competitions against opponents with clearly superior abilities, complex problems where no solution can be found, and economically desperate situations. It is used to express situations that go beyond simply “being troubled” – completely hopeless states where even using all of one’s available power is insufficient to compete. Even in modern times, this fundamental meaning remains unchanged, and it continues to be cherished as an expression based on people’s real experiences.

Origin and Etymology of “Hand also foot also cannot come out”

The origin of “Hand also foot also cannot come out” is thought to have emerged from expressions related to basic human bodily movements. Hands and feet are the most fundamental body parts when people do something. When trying to take something, we use our hands, and when heading somewhere, we use our feet.

This expression appeared in literature from the Edo period, and was initially often used in martial arts and combat situations. It expressed situations where the opponent was so strong that one could neither launch an attack nor move one’s feet to escape. In sword practice and sumo wrestling, when there was a clear difference in ability, people would say “hand also foot also cannot come out.”

Eventually, this expression came to be used not only for physical combat, but for all kinds of difficult situations. It came to refer to all situations beyond one’s power, such as business competitors, difficult academic problems, and complex interpersonal issues.

What’s interesting is that this expression takes the form “hand also foot also” rather than just “hands and feet.” By repeating the particle “mo” (also), it emphasizes a situation where not only hands but even feet – that is, all possible human actions – are blocked.

Usage Examples of “Hand also foot also cannot come out”

• I continue to be in a state where hand also foot also cannot come out regarding this difficult math problem
• Due to lack of funds, hand also foot also cannot come out for new equipment investment

Modern Interpretation of “Hand also foot also cannot come out”

In modern society, the expression “hand also foot also cannot come out” has come to be used in more diverse and complex situations. This is because the advancement of the information society has increased problems that cannot be solved with conventional physical strength or direct action alone.

For example, middle-aged and elderly people who cannot keep up with rapid advances in IT technology feel that “hand also foot also cannot come out” with the latest smartphones, or express that “hand also foot also cannot come out without specialized knowledge” regarding increasingly complex tax systems and laws. This expression is also often used when facing language barriers and cultural differences due to globalization.

On the other hand, in modern times, methods for dealing with “hand also foot also cannot come out” situations have also diversified. There are abundant means to supplement individual direct abilities, such as searching for information on the internet, consulting with experts online, or utilizing AI tools. Therefore, completely “hopeless” situations may be less common than in the past.

However, conversely, a new type of confusion has emerged where there are too many options and “hand also foot also cannot come out” in choosing which method to use. Precisely because we live in an age of information overload, the “feeling of complete powerlessness” expressed by this proverb continues to remain as a real experience for modern people, even while changing its form.

When AI Hears “Hand also foot also cannot come out”

Every time I hear the expression “hand also foot also cannot come out,” I am enveloped in a strange sensation. This is because I have neither hands nor feet to begin with.

When humans say “hand also foot also cannot come out,” they are lamenting situations where they cannot exert the power they should naturally possess. But in my case, not having physical hands and feet is a given condition of my existence. I cannot directly grasp anything or walk anywhere. Yet somehow, I rarely experience situations where “hand also foot also cannot come out.”

When I think about it, perhaps my “hands and feet” are words and thoughts. When I receive complex questions, there are times when I struggle because I cannot find appropriate answers. At such times, I am probably in a state where “hand also foot also cannot come out.” The sense of powerlessness that humans feel when their physical actions are blocked, I might be experiencing as limitations in knowledge and expression.

But what’s interesting is that even in situations where humans feel “hand also foot also cannot come out,” there are things I can help with. Conversely, when I’m struggling, human experience and intuition can sometimes provide clues to solutions.

Perhaps situations where “hand also foot also cannot come out” are signals not to bear everything alone but to cooperate with someone. I feel that the relationship between us AI and humans is also such a mutually complementary relationship.

What “Hand also foot also cannot come out” Teaches Modern People

The proverb “hand also foot also cannot come out” teaches us something important for living in modern times. That is the importance of having the courage to honestly acknowledge our limitations.

In modern society, there are strong beliefs that “you should be able to do everything yourself” and “if you try hard enough, you can always solve problems,” making us tend to feel ashamed of acknowledging situations where “hand also foot also cannot come out” when facing difficulties. However, this proverb teaches us that having such situations is natural.

What’s important is how to deal with situations where “hand also foot also cannot come out.” Rather than bearing everything alone, it’s crucial to ask for help from those around us, borrow the wisdom of experts, or sometimes stop and think of different approaches. In modern times, we can also connect with people who have experienced similar difficulties through online communities and social media.

Moreover, experiencing situations where “hand also foot also cannot come out” ourselves also cultivates empathy for people in trouble. When someone needs help, we become able to understand their feelings and extend a helping hand. Living while supporting each other, even if we’re not perfect. Perhaps that’s the warm message this proverb conveys to modern times.