noun

Idiomatic expression, jocular, humorous term.
  1. useless book learning, knowing the theory but being unable to put it into practice, practicing swimming on a tatami mat.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
畳の上の水練 たたみのうえのすいれん

Contained Kanji Breakdown

tatami mat, counter for tatami mats, fold
たた.む たたみ ジョウ (7th, N2)
rice field, rice paddy
た デン たん (1st, N4)
suitable, right, fitting
ギ よろ.しい
wa-shaped crown radical (no. 14)
ベキ (Kentei 1)
moreover, also, furthermore
か.つ ショ ソ (9th, N1)
month, moon
つき ゲツ ガツ (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
above, up
ジョウ うえ あ.げる (1st, N5)
divining, fortune-telling, divination or katakana to radical (no. 25)
ボク うらな.う うらない (Kentei Pre-1)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
water
みず スイ み (1st, N5)
practice, gloss, train
レン ね.る ねり (3rd, N2)
thread
いと シ (1st, N2)
short thread radical (no. 52)
ヨウ ちいさい (Kentei 1)
little, small
ショウ こ- ちい.さい (1st, N5)
feathered stick, barb radical (no. 6)
ケツ かぎ (Kentei 1)
eight, eight radical (no. 12)
ハチ や はっ (1st, N5)
east
トウ ひがし しの (2nd, N5)
tree, wood
き モク こ- (1st, N5)
day, sun, Japan
ひ にっ ニチ (1st, N5)