二束三文(にそくさんもん)

にそくさんもん
noun, na-adjective
dirt cheap; a pittance
1. dirt cheap; a pittance; next to nothing
An extremely low price, implying something is almost worthless. Used to describe goods sold for very little money.
骨董品(こっとうひん)を二束三文(にそくさんもん)で売(う)ってしまった。
I sold the antiques for a pittance.
こんな二束三文(にそくさんもん)の値段(ねだん)では売(う)れない。
I can't sell it at such a ridiculously low price.
大切(たいせつ)なものを二束三文(にそくさんもん)で手放(てばな)した。
I let go of something precious for next to nothing.

Literally "two bundles for three mon" (文(もん) was an old currency).

ORIGIN:
Originally referred to straw sandals (草鞋(わらじ)) that were sold two pairs for three mon - an extremely cheap price.

COMMON PATTERNS:

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

general
Added 2026.1.17 6:25 · Revised 2026.6.11 6:41
06000/06020_nisokusanmon