我田引水

• Reading: がでんいんすい
• Romaji: gadeninsui
• Kanji breakdown: 我 (ga/ware) — I, self, ego; 田 (den/ta) — rice field; 引 (in/hi) — pull, draw; 水 (sui/mizu) — water
• Pronunciation: /ɡa.den.in.sɯi/

Meaning

Self-serving argument; interpreting or presenting things in a way that benefits oneself. Literally, drawing water into one's own rice field.

A yojijukugo (four-character compound) used to criticise someone for twisting facts or reasoning to suit their own interests — similar in spirit to cherry-picking evidence. Common in political commentary, debates, and everyday criticism of biased or one-sided argumentation.

Examples

1. 彼の主張はいつも我田引水で、自分に都合のよい事実しか挙げない。 His arguments are always self-serving — he only cites facts that are convenient for himself.
2. 政治家の演説には我田引水な論理が目立つことが多い。 Politicians' speeches are often riddled with self-serving logic.
3. 我田引水な解釈をやめて、客観的な視点で考えてほしい。 Stop making self-serving interpretations and try to think from an objective perspective.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, politics, debate

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Classical Chinese proverb origin. The image of a farmer diverting an irrigation channel to water only their own field captures the essence of self-serving manipulation of shared resources or arguments.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal