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Japanese Proverbs
The Japanese language is filled with proverbs of all sorts, many from classical references from ancient Chinese to modern versions of English proverbs, all used in every aspect of the language. Whether you are traveling to Japan for fun or on business, or are living there, you'll find proverbs indispensible to understanding and using the daily language. Browse below to find the ones you want or simply explore the many possible ways to express yourself in Japanese.
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大器晩成
[たいきばんせい, taiki bansei] late-blooming, great talents mature slowly (lit.: large utensil evening finish)
大芸は無芸
[たいげいはむげい, taigei wa mugei] Jack of all trades and master of none (lit.: many accomplishments are no accomplishments)
高いものは安いもの
[たかいものはやすいもの, takai mono wa yasui mono] expensives things are cheaper (in the long run)
正しき者は艱難多し
[ただしきものはかんなんおおし, tadashiki mono wa kannan ooshi] the honest man has many difficulties
蓼食う虫も好き好き
[たでくうむしのすきずき, tade kuu mushi suki-zuki] to each his (her) own; there is no accounting for taste (lit.: there are even bugs that like to eat knotweed)
他人より身内
[たにんよりみうち, tanin yori miuchi] better than strangers is family; blood is thicker than water
卵と誓いは砕けやすい
[たまごとちかいはくだけやすい, tamago to chikai wa kudakeyasui] eggs and vows are easy to break
便りがないのは無事なのだ
[たよりがないのはぶじなのだ, tayori no nai no wa buji na no da] no communication indicates safety; no news is good news
便りのないのはよい便りだ
[たよりのないのはよいたよりだ, tayori no nai no wa yoi tayori da] no news is good news (a direct translation from the English saying)
足ることを知る者は幸福なり
[たることをしるものはこうふくなり, taru koto o shiru mono wa koufuku nari] he who knows when he has enough is fortunate
足るを知らざる者は貧しい
[たるをしらざるものはまずしい, taru o shirazaru mono wa toboshii] he is not rich who is not satisfied
短気は損気
[たんきはそんき, tanki wa sonki] a quick temper brings loss
大事は小事から
[だいじはしょうじから, daiji wa shouji kara] serious disasters come from small causes
大同小異
[だいどうしょうい, daidou shoui] almost identical; similarities outweight the differences; virtually the same (lit.: great similarities and small differences)
大欲は無欲に似たり
[だいよくはむよくににたり, daiyoku wa muyoku ni nitari] greed resembles generosity; avarice overreaches itself
黙る者に油断すな
[だまるものにゆだんすな, damaru mono wa yudansuna)] be mindful of silent people