三日坊主

みっ　か　ぼう　ず
mikka bouzu
It's been a long, long, long time, since I've posted anything on the so-called "Daily" Yo-ji, so I'm back with something appropriate.


三日 is three days, and 坊主 are kanji that indicate both the haircut sported by Buddhist monks, and the monks themselves. The phrase originated as a way to describe those who joined the priesthood and then dropped out quickly, their close-cropped hair remaining as the last vestige of their short-lived commitment. Now it's generally applied to anyone who starts something quickly and then gives up on it.

The picture is from a 2006 zazen sesshin in Oita Ken. It was actually five days long, and didn't require any haircuts, but though the picture shows six disciples, there were originally eight. Definitely a few 三日坊主 people in the group.


Definition:
すぐ始める、すぐ諦めること。
Translations:
1. Quitter
2. Give-upsky?

例文：ダイエットしょうと思ったけど、やっぱり、今日お菓子食べている。三日坊主だよね。
I intended to diet, but OF COURSE, today I'm eating a bunch of junk food. I can't stick to anything.

I really can't. Sorry.