You don't feed the fish you caught.

English translation: why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	You don't feed the fish you caught.
Selected answer:	why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
Entered by:	NancyLynn

20:08 May 23, 2004

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Common cliche

English term or phrase: You don't feed the fish you caught.

This question is my literal translation "Tsutta sakana ni esa wa yaranai", which is used quite often in everyday setting. As you see the expression itself is self-explanatory, there is a hidden idea behind it as they are not talking about fish. This is a common cliche in Japan in terms of man-woman relationship. When they use this (by male, majority of the time), it means when you already got her you don't have to send her flower any more (may be due to cost-account consideration -- ha, ha, I'm kidding).
Is there similar expression in English (besides Barbara Steisand song)?
No woman-lib stuff implied, no judgemental notes. I'm plain curious.

humbird

why by the cow

Explanation:
when you can get the milk for free?
English speakers say it *before* marriage. ;-)

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Note added at 15 mins (2004-05-23 20:23:43 GMT)
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why buy the cow, indeed

Selected response from:

NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 03:00

Grading comment

Essencially I believe this is what the Japanese cliche says. However I was looking for something very similar to the original idea. On the other hand cultural differences almost never permit identical expression in different languages (let face it "fish" is Japan's main source of protein, as opposed to cattle is to the West).
By the way, talk of the fish Ruth's quote of Gloria Steinam was truly hilarious.
Thank you everyone.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +9

why by the cow

NancyLynn

4 +1

A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle. (Gloria Steinem)

Refugio

possible pun/not to be graded

sarahl (X)

Discussion entries: 4

Answers

5 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +9

you don't feed the fish you caught.

why by the cow

NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 03:00
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

39 mins confidence:

you don't feed the fish you caught. possible pun/not to be graded

Explanation:
tsuru, to fish, also means seduce.
basically, if you get what you want with your wiles, your silver tongue or whatever, you don't need to invest $$$.

sarahl (X)
Local time: 00:00
Native speaker of:

French

5 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

you don't feed the fish you caught. A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle. (Gloria Steinem)

Explanation:
Okay, so it's a counter-proverb.

Refugio
Local time: 00:00
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

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You don't feed the fish you caught.

English translation: why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

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English translation: why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

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