Meaning of 猫の額 (neko no hitai) “Cat’s Forehead”

Definition

猫の額 (ねこのひたい, neko no hitai) literally means “a cat’s forehead”. Figuratively, it indicates (with a touch of humour/sarcasm) that the area of something is very narrow/small, like a cat’s forehead.

Usage

It is usually used as ‘猫の額ほどの’ meaning “as narrow as a cat’s forehead”. For some reason, it is dominantly used to describe a small garden.

Examples

猫の額ほどの庭(にわ)で野菜(やさい)を育(そだ)てている

I grow vegetables in my very small garden.

Related Words

Synonyms

(とても)狭い, (very) narrow

ウサギ小屋(ごや)のような “like a rabbit hutch” (very small)

Antonyms

広(ひろ)い “wide/large”

巨大(きょだい)な “massive/gigantic”

See also

8 Funny Japanese Idioms Related to Cat (猫, neko)

8 Funny Japanese Idioms Related to Cat (猫, neko)

Disclosure: The area below contains affiliate links of Italki and Preply (recognised online language learning platforms), and I'll receive small commisions from the service providers per the first purchases of new users made through the links, at no extra cost to the users.