部
Components
Point of interest: East meets west: Japanese sayings and their English counterparts
Japanese is rich with colorful sayings, from ancient proverbs to modern idioms. In Japanese learning, you'll often hear these broadly referred to as:
- Kotowaza:
Expressions that impart advice or universal truths (e.g., Saru mo ki kara ochiru).ことわざ諺proverb; maxim
- Kanyōku:
Fixed metaphorical expressions integrated into daily grammar (e.g., Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu).かんようく慣用句idiomatic usage; common usage
- Yojijukugo:
Concise four-kanji compounds derived from classical literature or loan translations (e.g., Isseki nichō).よじじゅくご四字熟語four-character idiomatic compounds
Interestingly, while some of these sayings evolved independently in Japan or were imported from ancient Chinese literature, many modern favorites are actually direct translations of Western expressions! Below, we’ve grouped them by their historical roots.
When you've read through the phrases in here, Kanshudo contains over 3000
よじじゅくご
四字熟語
to study next! To see them listed in order of usefulness, you can use the 'part of speech' keyword, and the tag 'yoji' to represent 'yojijukugo': You can also take our Topic Lesson on the
よじじゅくご
四字熟語
expression ほんまつてんとう
本末転倒
:ほんまつてんとう
本末転倒
UPPER INTERMEDIATE
Native Japanese Sayings and ことわざ諺
These sayings are unique Japanese creations deeply rooted in local culture, geography, and history.
| Japanese | Nearest English Equivalent | Directionality & Etymological Notes |
|
expression, ichidan verb even monkeys fall from trees; anyone can make a mistake; pride comes before a fall; even Homer sometimes nods(click the word for examples and links)
| Even Homer nods / Anyone can make a mistake | Native Japanese. Uses monkey imagery reflecting Japan's native fauna (Saru). |
|
expression, noun perseverance prevails; three years on a (cold) stone (will make the stone warm)(click the word for examples and links)
| Perseverance pays off / Slow and steady wins the race | Native Japanese. Originally tied to Buddhist ascetic practice (sitting on a cold stone until warm). |
|
Most common form: 塵も積もれば山と成る
expression, 'ru' godan verb many a little makes a mickle (idiomatic expression)(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
| Every little bit helps / Many a little makes a mickle | Native Japanese. Universal concept built on mountain imagery (Yama). |
|
expression Homer sometimes nods; even Kōbō Daishi's handwriting contains mistakes (proverb)(click the word for examples and links)
| Even experts make mistakes | Native Japanese. Refers specifically to Kobo-Daishi (Kukai), a legendary 9th-century Japanese calligrapher. |
|
| Windfall / An unexpected stroke of luck | Native Japanese. Uses distinctly Japanese cultural imagery (botamochi, a sweet rice dumpling). |
|
expression, ichidan verb the nail that sticks out gets hammered in; the best policy is to keep your head down (see also: 出る釘は打たれる)(click the word for examples and links)
| The squeaky wheel gets the grease (opposite outcome) | Native Japanese. A classic cultural proverb emphasizing social conformity. English lacks a direct structural equivalent (though "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down" is a direct translation used by Westerners studying Japanese). |
|
noun, 'suru' verb linking little fingers to confirm a promise(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
| Pinky promise | Native Japanese Custom. Short for Yubikiri Genman (指切り拳万). Originates from Edo-period courtesan culture. The Western "pinky promise" developed separately in the 19th century. |
Classic Chinese Proverbs (こじ故事せいご成語) Shared in East Asia
These originated in ancient Chinese literature and are shared across China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
| Japanese | Nearest English Equivalent | Directionality & Etymological Notes |
|
expression what's done is done; that's water under the bridge; it is no use crying over spilt milk; spilt water won't go back into its tray(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
| No use crying over spilled milk | Chinese Origin. Came from the ancient Chinese classic Book of Zhou. The English expression arose completely independently with identical logic. |
|
Most common form: 百聞は一見に如かず
expression seeing is believing; one eye-witness is better than many hearsays; a picture is worth a thousand words(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
| Seeing is believing / A picture is worth a thousand words | Chinese Origin. From the Book of Han (Hanshu). Shares exact meaning with English, developed independently. |
|
expression the frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean (proverb)(click the word for examples and links)
| A frog in a well knows nothing of the ocean | Chinese Origin. Originally from Zhuangzi. English speakers often use "a frog in a well," but this was borrowed directly into English from East Asian languages. |
|
expression nothing ventured, nothing gained (idiomatic expression)(click the word to view an additional 1 reading and 1 form, examples and links)
| Nothing ventured, nothing gained | Chinese Origin. From the Book of Later Han (Hou Hanshu). Independent parallel concept in English. |
English/Western Sayings Borrowed into Japanese (Meiji Period Onward)
These entered Japanese as direct translations (
ちょくやく
直訳
) of Western/European proverbs during Japan's modernization period.| Japanese | Nearest English Equivalent | Directionality & Etymological Notes |
|
expression killing two birds with one stone (yojijukugo)(click the word for examples and links)
| Kill two birds with one stone | English > Japanese. A direct translation of the English proverb coined during the Meiji period. (Contrast with native Chinese/Japanese equivalent Ikkyo ryotoku / 一挙両得). |
| Time is money | English > Japanese. Direct translation of Benjamin Franklin's famous advice in Advice to a Young Tradesman (1748). | |
|
expression He who runs after two hares will catch neither (proverb)(click the word for examples and links)
| Chase two rabbits, catch neither / He who hunts two hares catches neither | European > Japanese. Direct translation of an ancient European proverb (attributed to Aesop/Latin origins). |
|
expression when in Rome, do as the Romans do(click the word for examples and links)
| When in Rome, do as the Romans do | Latin > Japanese. Derived from the Latin expression attributed to Saint Ambrose (Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more), translated into Japanese in modern times. |
Parallel / Universal Concepts (Independent Evolution)
These proverbs express identical human wisdom through distinct cultural metaphors, appearing to have developed independently without direct borrowing.
| Japanese | Nearest English Equivalent | Directionality & Etymological Notes |
|
expression, 'bu' godan verb birds of a feather flock together(click the word for examples and links)
| Birds of a feather flock together | Independent. Identical concept ("Like attracts like") using distinct imagery. |
|
expression prevention is better than cure; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; look before you leap; forewarned is forearmed; a stitch in time saves nine; have a walking stick ready before stumbling; better safe than sorry(click the word for examples and links)
| An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure / Look before you leap | Independent. Literal: "A walking stick before you fall." Shared wisdom, different imagery. |
|
expression Out of the mouth comes evil (idiomatic expression)(click the word for examples and links)
| Loose lips sink ships / Least said, soonest mended | Independent. Universal warning about speaking recklessly. |
|
expression not heeding what others say; in one ear and out the other; reading the nenbutsu into a horse's ear (see also: 念仏; proverb)(click the word for examples and links)
| Casting pearls before swine / Falling on deaf ears | Independent. "Chanting Buddhist prayers into a horse's ear." Similar logic to "pearls before swine," using Buddhist imagery. |
|
Most common form: 能有る鷹は爪を隠す
expression a wise man keeps some of his talents in reserve; one shouldn't show off; the person who knows most often says least; a skilled hawk hides its talons (proverb)(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
| Still waters run deep / A skilled craftsman hides his tools | Independent. "A capable hawk hides its talons." Shared concept of hidden talent or humility. |
|
Most common form: 七転八起
noun the vicissitudes of life; ups and downs in life; always rising after a fall or repeated failures (yojijukugo)(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
| Fall down seven times, stand up eight | Independent. Classic expression of resilience, deeply tied to Japanese Daruma symbolism. |
|
expression it is darkest under the lamp post; it's hard to see what is under your nose; go abroad to hear of home; you must go into the country to hear what news at London(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
| It is darkest under the lamp-post | Independent. "It is dark at the base of the lighthouse/lamp." Refers to missing what is right in front of you. |
|
expression adversity strengthens the foundations (idiomatic expression)(click the word for examples and links)
| What doesn't kill you makes you stronger / Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors | Independent. Literal: "After rain, the earth hardens." Adversity leads to stability. |
|
| Out of the blue / A bolt from the blue | Independent. Literal: "Water poured into a sleeping ear." Sudden unexpected shock. |
Kanji used in this point of interest
Problem with this point of interest? Question or
comment? Please CONTACT US.
Kanshudo is your AI Japanese tutor, and your constant companion on the road to mastery of the Japanese language.
To get started learning Japanese, just follow the study recommendations on your Dashboard.
You can use Quick search (accessible using the icon at the top of every page) to look up any Japanese word, kanji or grammar point, as well as to find anything on Kanshudo quickly.
For an overview, take the tour.
