ProverbWisdom
Dutch origin
Dutch originTwaalf ambachten, dertien ongelukken
Meaning: Someone who tries many trades succeeds at none.
Literally: Twelve trades, thirteen misfortunes
Example: “Hij is kok, schilder, monteur en fotograaf geweest. Twaalf ambachten, dertien ongelukken.” — He's been a cook, painter, mechanic and photographer: jack of all trades, master of none.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
English: Jack of all trades, master of none
French: Qui trop embrasse mal étreint (literally: Whoever grasps too much holds poorly)
Spanish: Aprendiz de todo, maestro de nada (literally: Apprentice of all, master of none)
Japanese: 器用貧乏 (Kiyō binbō) (literally: Skilled but poor)
German: Hansdampf in allen Gassen (literally: Jack Steam in every alley)
Origin: The joke is in the count: twelve trades bring thirteen misfortunes, one more than the trades themselves.
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