16 Popular Japanese Proverbs
Learning proverbs is a great way to enrich your study as they contain wisdom unique to a culture. It is also interesting to learn Japanese proverbs or kotozawa as they are seldom taught in Japanese classes.
Here are 16 popular Japanese proverbs:
Proverb #1
雨降って地固まる
ame futte jikata maru
Literal: the soil hardens after it has rained
Meaning: This proverb describes good things that come after experiencing adversity.
Similar English proverb: There’s always a rainbow after the rain.
Proverb #2
石の上にも三年
ishi no ue ni mo sannen
Literal: Three years on a stone
Meaning: If you keep working hard, you will be rewarded.
Similar English proverb: There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Proverb #3
犬も歩けば棒に当たる
inu mo arukeba bō ni ataru
Literal: If a dog walks, it will hit a stick.
Meaning: 1) You will meet unexpected luck. 2) Any action will result in a misfortune.
Proverb #4
風が吹けば桶屋が儲かる
kaze ga fukeba okeya ga mōkaru
Literal: If the wind blows, the cooper will be profitable.
Meaning: Expecting things that are not certain.
Proverb #5
二兎追うものは一兎をも得ず
nito oumono wa itto o moezu
Literal: The person who chases two rabbits catches neither.
Meaning: If you try to accomplish or pursue two different things at once, you will fail at both.
Proverb #6
仏の顔も三度まで
hotoke no kao mo sando made
Literal: Even Buddha’s face is up to three times.
Meaning: Even a person with a Buddha’s face will become angry if one is repeatedly rude towards them.
Proverb #7
虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず
koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu
Literal: If you do not enter the tiger’s den, you will not catch its cubs.
Meaning: You can’t expect to achieve anything if you never take any risks.
Similar English proverb: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Proverb #8
雨垂れ石を穿つ
amada reishi wo ugatsu
Literal: Raindrops make a hole in a stone.
Meaning: No matter how weak your efforts are, if you keep trying and don’t give up, you will see results.
Similar English proverb: Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.
Proverb #9
百里を行く者は九十を半ばとす
hyakuri wo yukumono wa kujū wo nakabatosu
Literal: Those who travel 100 miles are in the middle of ninety.
Meaning: As the journey of 100 miles is difficult until the end, you can’t reach it unless you are prepared to think that 90 miles is half the journey.
Proverb #10
人事を尽くして天命を待つ
jinji wo tsukushite tenmei wo matsu
Literal: Do your best and wait for destiny.
Meaning: If you have done what you can do with all your might, leave the rest to heaven.
Proverb #11
勝って兜の緒を締めよ
katte kabuto no o wo shimeyo
Literal: Win and tighten your helmet straps.
Meaning: One should remain vigilant even after achieving success.
Proverb #12
衣食足りて礼節を知る
ishoku tarite reisetsu wo shiru
Literal: Having enough food and clothing to know etiquette.
Meaning: When a person becomes comfortable in their life, they begin to value courtesy and propriety.
Proverb #13
禍を転じて福と為す
wazawai wo tenjite fukutonasu
Literal: Turning misfortune into good fortune.
Meaning: Using misfortune to your advantage.
Similar English proverb: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Proverb #14
能ある鷹は爪を隠す
nōaru taka wa tsume wo kakusu
Literal: A talented hawk hides its claws.
Meaning: One who is truly capable or talented does not show off their strength, and only shows their true potential when needed.
Proverb #15
初心忘るべからず
shoshin wasuru bekarazu
Literal: Don’t forget your original intention.
Meaning: Don’t forget to be serious and humble when you start something.
Proverb #16
故きを温ねて新しきを知る
furuki o nuku nete atarashiki o shiru
Literal: Keep the old warm and know the new
Meaning: Obtaining new knowledge and discoveries by coming into contact with old information and the wisdom of our predecessors.
