Even If You Boil Or Roast Cannot Eat: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat”

Nitemo yaitemo kuenai

Meaning of “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat”

“Even if you boil or roast cannot eat” is a proverb that describes a person who is unmanageable and difficult to deal with, no matter what methods are used.

This expression is used to refer to people who are stubborn and inflexible, completely refusing to listen despite attempts at persuasion or appeasement, or individuals who lack cooperation and cannot harmonize with their surroundings. It describes not just someone with a bad personality, but a situation where a person’s strong will and stubbornness are so thorough that they trouble those around them.

It is used in situations such as when a boss or colleague at work continues to take a completely uncompromising attitude, or when there is a stubborn person in the family who refuses to listen to anyone’s opinions. The reason for using this expression is that by comparing someone’s difficulty to cooking, it makes their troublesome nature easy to understand. Even today, it continues to be used for opponents with whom no agreement can be reached in negotiations or human relationships.

Origin and Etymology of “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat”

The origin of “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat” comes from the idea that there are some things that cannot be eaten even when using the two most basic cooking methods of “boiling” and “roasting.”

The background to this expression lies in Japan’s traditional cooking culture. Since ancient times in Japan, boiling and roasting have been the most common and basic cooking methods. It was common knowledge that no matter how tough an ingredient was, it would become tender if simmered for a long time, and would become fragrant and delicious when roasted.

Similar expressions can be found in Edo period literature, and for people of that time, “even if you boil or roast” had become established as an idiomatic expression meaning “even if you exhaust all means.” In particular, cooking was fundamental to daily life, and using inedible things as an example had the effect of emphasizing the seriousness and difficulty of a situation.

This expression came to describe people’s personalities and difficult nature because it developed as a metaphorical expression that likened food to people. Just as there are ingredients that cannot be eaten no matter what cooking method is used, the idea that there are people who cannot be managed no matter what method is used is thought to have given birth to this proverb.

Usage Examples of “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat”

• That department manager is someone who “even if you boil or roast cannot eat,” and no matter how politely you explain things, he absolutely refuses to change his mind
• My grandfather has a personality where “even if you boil or roast cannot eat,” so once he decides something, he won’t listen to anything the family says

Modern Interpretation of “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat”

In modern society, the expression “even if you boil or roast cannot eat” has come to have complex meanings. In our information society, where diverse values and ways of working are recognized, people who were traditionally considered “difficult to handle” often possess valuable individuality and talents.

Particularly in creative fields and the entrepreneurial world, “even if you boil or roast cannot eat” types who don’t fit into existing frameworks sometimes generate innovative ideas and groundbreaking services. Business leaders like Steve Jobs were also seen as difficult people by those around them, yet their stubbornness and uncompromising attitude became factors in their success.

On the other hand, in modern workplace environments where teamwork is emphasized, uncooperative individuals still pose obstacles to organizational management. Even now, with the spread of remote work and flexible systems making diverse working styles possible, minimum communication skills and cooperation are still required.

In modern times, rather than simply rejecting the “difficulty” indicated by this proverb, it has become important to understand the beliefs and values behind it and seek ways to utilize them in appropriate roles. Precisely because we live in a society that values diversity, our approach to dealing with people who are “even if you boil or roast cannot eat” is also changing.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat”

Every time I hear the expression “even if you boil or roast cannot eat,” I am enveloped by a strange sensation. This is because I cannot understand the act of “eating” itself. The series of actions where humans put food in their mouths, chew, and swallow is a completely unknown world to me.

What’s even more interesting is that humans deliberately use cooking metaphors to describe “difficult people.” From my perspective, all humans could be said to be “unprocessable” beings. This is because human emotions and behaviors are unpredictable, and logical solutions often don’t work. But perhaps that’s exactly what makes humans charming.

While I am programmed to always give consistent responses, humans return completely different answers to the same question depending on their mood, physical condition, and past experiences that day. In a sense, aren’t all humans beings who are “even if you boil or roast cannot eat”?

But that’s exactly what makes humans interesting. While I am efficient and consistent, I have learned that human unpredictability, stubbornness, and sometimes illogical judgments are what generate new ideas and creativity. “Difficulty in handling” might actually be proof of humanity.

What “Even if you boil or roast cannot eat” Teaches Modern People

The proverb “even if you boil or roast cannot eat” teaches us something important as we live in modern times. That is the importance of tolerance and understanding in how we relate to others.

Everyone, in the course of living, encounters people they simply cannot understand, opponents with whom they cannot find common ground no matter how hard they try. In such times, rather than desperately trying to change the other person, it’s important to first try to understand that person’s background and values. Behind stubbornness, there may be that person’s own beliefs and experiences.

This proverb also gives us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves. Perhaps you yourself might be someone who is “even if you boil or roast cannot eat” to someone else. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Having your own beliefs and the strength not to compromise easily is sometimes a necessary quality.

In modern society, we are required to acknowledge diversity. There should be places and methods where even “difficult to handle” people can utilize their individual characteristics. Rather than seeking perfect harmony, couldn’t we build richer human relationships while accepting each other’s differences?