1.
self-serving; drawing water to one's own rice field
Acting in one's own interest; interpreting situations to one's own advantage; being self-serving in arguments or actions.
Structure: 我 (my/one's own) + 田 (rice field) + 引 (draw/pull) + 水 (water). The image is of a farmer diverting irrigation water to their own field, leaving less for neighbors.
Usage: Used to criticize someone for being self-serving, biased, or interpreting facts to favor themselves. Often used as a na-adjective.
Common patterns
- 我田引水な意見 (a self-serving opinion)
- 我田引水な解釈 (a self-serving interpretation)
- 我田引水に考える (to think in a self-serving way)