30 popular Japanese proverbs : We all know the classic English proverbs, “When in Rome,” “The pen is mightier than the sword,” “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” These are all things our mums and dads used to preach to us as kids. Proverbs hold infinite wisdom that can transcend the boundaries of location and can translate into many different languages, Japanese is certainly no exception.
Wouldn’t it be cool to know a few of these in Japanese? Sure it would! So let’s dive right in.
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30 popular Japanese proverbs
Every language and culture has them and they are usually used to give guidance and advice to other people! For this blog, we will be talking about a few Japanese proverbs that might just be the help you never knew you needed. Share the wisdom!
Kotowaza, in Japanese
Kotowaza, in Japanese, means proverb. So which Kotowaza ことわざ shall we take a look at first?
Are you a morning person like me? If so, this is the proverb for you.
花より団子
Hana yori dango
Translation: “Dumplings over flowers”
Meaning: This is when you prefer substance over looks or style.
猿も木から落ちる
Saru mo ki kara ochiru
Translation: “Even monkeys fall from trees”
Meaning: Everyone makes mistakes so don’t take it to heart.
蛙の子は蛙
Kaeru no ko wa kaeru
Translation: “Child of a frog is a frog”
Meaning: Like father, like son or the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
可愛い子には旅をさせよ
Kawaii ko niwa tabi o saseyo
Translation: “Send the cute children on a journey”
Meaning: To not spoil children/people you care about despite loving them dearly. Make them experience things and learn to do things for themselves.
鳴く猫はねずみを捕らぬ
Naku neko wa nezumi o toranu
Translation: “A loud cat doesn’t catch mice”
Meaning: People who spend all their time talking accomplish nothing.
七転び八起き
Nana korobi ya oki
Translation: “Stumble 7 times, get back up 8”
Meaning: Pretty much not to give up!
知らぬが仏
Shiranu ga hotoke
Translation: “Not knowing is Buddha.”
Meaning: Buddha is a very peaceful person. So being in his state pretty much means “Ignorance is bliss”.
寄らば大樹の陰
Yoraba taiju no kage
Translation: “If you take shade, do it under a large tree.”
Meaning: If you’re going to rely on someone, pick someone who is useful.
井の中の蛙 大海を知らず
I no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu
Translation: “A frog in a well does not know the great sea”
Meaning: People make judgments based on their own limited experiences, with no knowledge of how big the world is and how they have not experienced everything in it.
二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず
Nito o oumono wa itto o mo ezu
Translation: “One who chases after 2 rabbits will not even catch one”
Meaning: If you try to do many things at one time, you might fail at all of them. Focus on one thing at a time!
案ずるより産むが易し
Anzuru yori umu ga yasashii
Translation: “Giving birth to a baby is easier than worrying about it”
Meaning: Fear is usually more difficult to overcome than the actual act of doing it. Attempting something is usually easier than one might think.
能ある鷹は爪を隠す
Nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu
Translation: “The skillful hawk hides its talons”
Meaning: Stay humble. A skilled hunter succeeds by hiding its talons from its prey.
猫に小判
Neko ni koban
Translation: “(Giving) gold coins to a cat”
Meaning: It’s where you give something to someone who won't appreciate it or won't be able to use it--cats have no use for gold coins!
豚に真珠
Buta ni Sinjyu
Translation: “A pearl to a pig”
Meaning: It has the same meaning as “Neko ni koban” but it can also mean someone who wears/does things that don’t suit them.
武士は食わねど高楊枝
Bushi wa kuwanedo takayôji
Translation: “A Samurai pretends, even when he is starved, by holding a toothpick between his teeth”
Meaning: To not let others see your pain. Although this is a positive message, it might also mean a person who is too proud to give up.
郷に入っては郷に従え
Gou ni haitte wa gô ni sitagae
Translation: “When you join another village, follow the rules”
Meaning: Learn to adapt and respect people-- When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
多芸は無芸
Tagei wa mugei)
Translation: “Many skills is no skill”
Meaning: A Jack of all trades is a master of none.
自業自得
Jigou jitoku
Translation: “You get what you deserve”
Meaning: Something similar to “What you reap is what you sow”
虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず
Koketsu ni hairazunba koji o ezu
Translation: “If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you will not catch its cub”
Meaning: If you don’t try, you will have no chance to succeed.
覆水盆に返らず
Fukusui bon ni kaerazu
Translation: “Spilt water will not return to the tray”
Meaning: What's done is done and cannot be reversed--Don't cry over spilt milk
仏の顔も三度
Hotoke no kao mo sando
Translation: “Even Buddah’s (tranquil) face only lasts until the third time”
Meaning: Even the kindest person in the world can get mad--everyone has their limits.
論より証拠
Ron yori shouko
Translation: “Proof over theory”
Meaning: Preferring the real thing/something proven over ideas
類は友を呼ぶ
Rui wa tomo o yobu
Translation: “Similar types call their friends”
Meaning: Birds of a feather flock together
乞食を三日すればやめられぬ
Kojiki o mikka sureba yamerarenu
Translation: “If you’re a beggar for 3 days, you won’t be able to stop”
Meaning: Once a good-for-nothing, always a good-for-nothing.
沈む瀬あれば浮かぶ瀬あり
Shizumu se areba ukabu se ari)
Translation: “If the current sinks, it will rise (again)”
Meaning: Things may be bad now but it will be better in the future, or simply, life has its ups and downs.
長所は短所
Chousho wa tansho
Translation: “our strong points are our weak points”
Meaning: Over-reliance on our strengths may lead to making a mistake.
猫を追うより皿を引け
Neko o ou yori sara o hike
Translation: “Rather than chase the cat, take away the plate”
Mening: Attack problems at their root to solve it.
天は自ら助くるものを助く
Ten wa mizukara tasukuru mono o tasuku
Translation: “Heaven helps those who help themselves.”
Meaning: You need to act and help yourself to succeed.
窮鼠 猫を噛む
Kyuuso neko o kamu
Translation: “A cornered rat will bite the cat”
Meaning: Left with no choice, even someone weak will fight back.
毒を以て毒を制する
Doku o motte doku o sei suru
Translation: “To use a poison to overcome a poison”
Meaning: Sometimes we might need to go down to doing shady or immoral things to be able to overcome immoral/shady problems.
Usually Japanese people are quite surprised when foreigners use kotowaza, so it’s always fun to see their reactions. Get out there and start impressing your Japanese friends with your profound wisdom.
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