Japan Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of Japan in ja and English — each with its meaning and source.

猿も木から落ちる

“Even monkeys fall from trees.”

Even experts and masters of a skill sometimes make mistakes.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

七転び八起き

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”

No matter how many times you fail, keep getting back up and persevere.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

石の上にも三年

“Three years on a stone.”

Perseverance through hardship over time will eventually bring reward, just as sitting long enough warms even a cold stone.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

出る杭は打たれる

“The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”

Those who stand out from the group or draw too much attention often face criticism or suppression.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

花より団子

“Dumplings over flowers.”

Practical substance is preferable to mere appearance or aesthetics.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

井の中の蛙大海を知らず

“A frog in a well does not know the great ocean.”

A person of limited experience judges the world by their narrow perspective, unaware of how vast it truly is.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), derived from the Chinese classic Zhuangzi; public-domain oral tradition

覆水盆に返らず

“Spilt water will not return to the tray.”

What is done cannot be undone; some actions and their consequences are irreversible.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

十人十色

“Ten people, ten colors.”

Every person is different, with their own tastes, opinions, and ways of thinking.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese four-character idiom (yojijukugo), public-domain oral tradition

継続は力なり

“Continuation is power.”

Steady, continued effort over time is itself a source of strength and eventual success.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese saying (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

案ずるより産むが易し

“Giving birth is easier than worrying about it.”

Things are often less difficult in practice than they seem when we fret about them beforehand.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

石橋を叩いて渡る

“Knock on the stone bridge before crossing it.”

Be extremely cautious and double-check even things that already seem safe and solid.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

光陰矢の如し

“Time flies like an arrow.”

Time passes swiftly and does not wait for anyone, so it should not be wasted.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), rooted in classical Chinese poetic tradition; public-domain oral tradition

千里の道も一歩から

“Even a journey of a thousand ri begins with a single step.”

Any great undertaking, however distant its goal, must start with a small first action.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), derived from the Chinese classic attributed to Laozi; public-domain oral tradition

猫に小判

“Gold coins to a cat.”

Giving something valuable to someone who cannot understand or appreciate its worth.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず

“He who chases two hares catches neither.”

Trying to pursue two goals at once often results in achieving neither.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

塵も積もれば山となる

“Even dust, piled up, becomes a mountain.”

Small efforts or amounts, accumulated steadily, eventually become something great.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

蓼食う虫も好き好き

“Even the bug that eats knotweed does so by its own preference.”

Tastes vary from person to person; what one finds appealing, another may not.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

早起きは三文の徳

“Rising early earns three mon of profit.”

Waking up early brings small but real rewards and advantages.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

泣き面に蜂

“A bee stings the crying face.”

Misfortune often strikes again just when things are already going badly.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

猫の手も借りたい

“So busy one would even borrow a cat's paws.”

Describes being so overwhelmed with work that any help at all, however unlikely, would be welcome.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

三人寄れば文殊の知恵

“When three people gather, there is the wisdom of Monju.”

Combining the thoughts of several ordinary people can produce insight equal to that of a wise sage; collaboration multiplies wisdom.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず

“If you do not enter the tiger's den, you cannot get its cubs.”

Great rewards require taking real risks; nothing is gained without venturing into danger.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), derived from the Chinese classic Book of the Later Han; public-domain oral tradition

百聞は一見に如かず

“Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once.”

Direct personal experience is more convincing and valuable than any amount of secondhand description.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), derived from the Chinese classic Book of Han; public-domain oral tradition

一期一会

“One time, one meeting.”

Treasure every encounter, for it is unique and will never occur in exactly the same way again — a principle rooted in the tea ceremony.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese four-character idiom (yojijukugo), associated with the tea ceremony tradition; public-domain oral tradition

因果応報

“Cause and effect bring retribution.”

Every action, good or bad, eventually returns its corresponding consequence to the one who acted, a Buddhist principle of karma.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese four-character idiom (yojijukugo), rooted in Buddhist teaching; public-domain oral tradition

温故知新

“Warm the old to learn the new.”

By studying and revisiting the past, one gains the understanding needed to grasp the present and future.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese four-character idiom (yojijukugo), derived from the Analects of Confucius; public-domain oral tradition

蛙の子は蛙

“A frog's child is a frog.”

Children tend to resemble their parents in nature, ability, or destiny.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

好きこそ物の上手なれ

“What one loves, one becomes skilled at.”

Genuine enthusiasm for something naturally leads to mastery of it over time.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

転ばぬ先の杖

“A cane before you fall.”

It is wise to prepare for potential trouble before it happens rather than after.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

猫をかぶる

“To wear a cat on one's head.”

To hide one's true nature or feelings and act deceptively meek or innocent in front of others.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

灯台下暗し

“It is dark at the base of the lighthouse.”

The thing you are searching for is often overlooked because it is too close or too obvious to notice.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

雨降って地固まる

“After the rain, the ground hardens.”

Difficulties and conflicts, once resolved, often leave things more stable and stronger than before.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

馬の耳に念仏

“A Buddhist chant in a horse's ear.”

Good advice or wise words are wasted on someone who has no intention of listening.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

木を見て森を見ず

“To see the tree but not the forest.”

Becoming so absorbed in small details that one loses sight of the larger picture.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

蒔かぬ種は生えぬ

“Seeds that are not sown do not sprout.”

Nothing comes without effort; results only follow from the actions one actually takes.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

郷に入っては郷に従え

“When you enter a village, follow its customs.”

Adapt to and respect the customs of wherever you find yourself, rather than insisting on your own ways.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

苦あれば楽あり

“Where there is hardship, there is also ease.”

Suffering and comfort take turns in life; difficult times are always followed eventually by better ones.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

明日は明日の風が吹く

“Tomorrow, tomorrow's wind will blow.”

Do not worry too much about the future; each day brings its own circumstances to be met when it arrives.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

悪事千里を走る

“Bad deeds travel a thousand ri.”

News of wrongdoing or scandal spreads far and fast, much faster than good news.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), derived from classical Chinese sayings; public-domain oral tradition

知らぬが仏

“Not knowing is Buddha.”

There is a peaceful innocence in not knowing unpleasant truths; ignorance can be a form of bliss.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

三日坊主

“A three-day monk.”

Describes someone who starts new endeavors with enthusiasm but quickly gives up.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

猫に鰹節

“Bonito flakes left near a cat.”

Describes a situation where temptation is placed dangerously close to someone who cannot resist it.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

情けは人のためならず

“Kindness is not just for the other person's sake.”

An act of kindness eventually returns to benefit the one who gave it, so kindness is never truly wasted.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

急がば回れ

“If you are in a hurry, take the roundabout way.”

When time is short, it is often wiser to choose the safer, more reliable path rather than a risky shortcut.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

触らぬ神に祟りなし

“A god left untouched brings no curse.”

Avoiding unnecessary involvement in troublesome matters keeps one safe from harm.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

棚から牡丹餅

“A rice cake falls from the shelf.”

Describes sudden, unexpected good fortune that comes without any effort on one's part.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

亀の甲より年の功

“The merit of years outweighs the shell of a turtle.”

The experience gained over many years of life is more valuable than any inherent advantage, echoing that age brings wisdom.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

一寸先は闇

“An inch ahead is darkness.”

No one can truly know what the future holds, even the very near future.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

桃栗三年柿八年

“Peach and chestnut trees bear fruit in three years, persimmon trees in eight.”

Worthwhile achievements each take their own proper amount of time and patience to mature.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition

二階から目薬

“Eye drops from the second floor.”

Describes an action that is so indirect or roundabout that it fails to have the intended effect.

Traditional Japan Wisdom

Source: Traditional Japanese proverb (kotowaza), public-domain oral tradition