Dictionary🇯🇵 Japanese → 🇺🇸 English
Japanese to English Dictionary
ダメ元
dame moto
Description
「ダメ元」は、うまくいかないと思っていても、とりあえずやってみる時に使う言葉です。
"ダメ元" is used when you think it won't work but try anyway.
失敗しても今と同じだから、気軽に挑戦しようという気持ちを表します。
It expresses the feeling of casually trying because even if you fail, things will stay the same.
Meanings
ダメ元dame moto
trying with nothing to lose even if it fails
ダメ元で聞いてみるよ。
I'll ask, even if it's a long shot.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
short for ダメで元々 (dame de motomoto) = 'failing just leaves you where you started'.
- Nuance
usually used with で as ダメ元で before a verb, meaning 'give it a shot anyway'.
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