Japanese proverbs: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Linguistic family of idiomatic expressions}} |
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[[fr:Proverbes japonais]] [[ja:ことわざ]] |
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{{morefootnotes|date=August 2015}} |
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A {{nihongo|'''Japanese proverb'''|[[wikt:諺|諺]], ことわざ|kotowaza}} may take the form of: |
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*a {{nihongo|short [[saying]]|言い習わし|iinarawashi}}, |
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'''Japanese proverbs''' include 四字熟語 (''Yojijukugo'' [[Four-character idioms]]), ことわざ (''Kotowaza'' [[proverb]]s) and 慣用句 (''Kanyouku'' [[Common idiom]]s). Japanese love proverbs and use them in everyday life frequently. |
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*an {{nihongo|[[idiom]]atic phrase|慣用句|kan'yōku}}, or |
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*a {{nihongo|four-character idiom|四字熟語|[[yojijukugo]]}}. |
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Although "proverb" and "saying" are practically synonymous, the same cannot be said about "idiomatic phrase" and "four-character idiom". Not all ''kan'yōku'' and ''yojijukugo'' are proverbial. For instance, the ''kan'yōku'' {{nihongo3|literally 'a [[fox]]'s wedding', meaning "a [[sunshower]]"|狐の嫁入り|[[kitsune no yomeiri]]}} and the ''yojijukugo'' {{nihongo3|literally 'small spring weather', meaning "[[Indian summer]]" – warm spring-like weather in early winter|小春日和|koharubiyori}} are ''not'' proverbs. To be considered a proverb, a word or phrase must express a common [[truth]] or [[wisdom]]; it cannot be a mere noun. |
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Because traditional Japanese culture was tied to agriculture, many Japanese proverbs are derived from agricultural customs and practices. Many of them contain commentary on the behavior of women as well as natural phenomena. Some are from the [[Go game]] and [[Buddhism]] and many four-character phrases are from [[Chinese philosophy]]. |
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== Origin == |
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The heavy employment of proverbs enables Japanese language to be compact, quick and simple. Evidence might be found in Japanese animation and Japanese comics or manga. The huge popularity in instant messaging by cellular phones can be due to this. |
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Numerous Asian proverbs, including Japanese, appear to be derived from older [[Chinese proverbs]], although it often is impossible to be completely sure about the direction of cultural influences (and hence, the origins of a particular proverb or idiomatic phrase).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stone |first=Jon R. |url=https://archive.org/details/routledgebookofw0000ston/ |title=The Routledge Book of World Proverbs |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2006 |isbn=9780203968956 |edition=Taylor & Francis e-Library |location=270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10016 |pages=xiv-xv |language=en |access-date=25 July 2024 |url-access=}}</ref> |
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Because traditional Japanese culture was tied to agriculture, many Japanese proverbs are derived from agricultural customs and practices. Some are from the board game [[Go (board game)|Go]] (e.g., {{nihongo||布石を打つ|fuseki o utsu}}), the [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea ceremony]] (e.g., {{nihongo||一期一会|[[Ichi-go ichi-e|ichi go ichi e]]}}), and [[Buddhism]]. Many four-character idioms are from [[Chinese philosophy]] written in [[Classical Chinese]], in particular "The [[Analects]]" by Confucius. ({{nihongo3|'a frog in a well'|井の中の蛙|I no naka no kawazu}} is Classical Chinese, from the ''[[Zhuangzi (book)|Zhuangzi]]''.) |
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Among them are: |
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== Usage == |
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*挨拶は時の氏神 (Aisatsu ha tokino ujigami) -- (lit. ) |
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Japanese commonly use proverbs, often citing just the first part of common phrases for brevity. For example, one might say {{nihongo3|'a frog in a well'|井の中の蛙|i no naka no kawazu}} to refer to the proverb {{nihongo3|'a frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean'|[[wikt:井の中の蛙大海を知らず|井の中の蛙、大海を知らず]]|i no naka no kawazu, taikai o shirazu}}. Whereas proverbs in English are typically multi-worded phrases (e.g. "kill two birds with one stone"), Japanese ''yojijukugo'' borrow from Chinese and compactly convey the concept in one compound word (e.g., {{nihongo3|'one stone two birds'|一石二鳥|isseki nichō}}). |
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*秋茄子は嫁に食わすな (Akinasu ha yome ni kuwasuna) -- (lit. Don't get fall-harvest eggplant (nasu) to your son's wife) |
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*悪妻は百年の不作 (Akusai ha hyaku-nen no fusaku) -- (lit. a bad wife is one hundred years of bad harvest) |
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== Examples == |
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*あまり物には福がある (Amarimono niha fuku ga aru) -- (lit. fortunes exist among leftovers) |
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=== Sayings ===<!-- This section is linked from [[Cuteness in Japanese culture]] --> |
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*案ずるより生むが易し (Anjiru yori umu ga yasushi) -- (lit. It's easier to make it than thinking about it) |
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*出る杭は打たれる。 |
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*傍若無人 (Boujaku bujin) -- (lit. ) from 史記 |
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** ''Deru kui wa utareru'' |
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*着眼大局 (Chakugan taikyoku) -- (lit. ) from Go game. Comment: Go proverbs seem to be a rich source of proverbs that don't have direct equivalents in English. Does the author have more? If so, at least literal translations would help |
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** Literally: The stake that sticks up gets hammered down. |
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* 智恵出でて大偽あり (Chie idete taigi ari) |
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** Meaning: If you stand out, you will be subject to criticism. |
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* 血も涙もない (Chi mo namida mo nai) -- (lit. He has neither blood or tears) |
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*知らぬが仏。 |
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* 長者にニ代なし (Choja-ni nidai nashi) |
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** ''Shiranu ga hotoke'' |
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*知恵者一人馬鹿万人 (Chiesha hitori baka mannin) -- (lit. one wiseman and 10 thousands idiots) |
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** Literally: Not knowing is Buddha. |
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*泥中の蓮 (Deichuu no hachisu) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: Ignorance is bliss. / What you don't know can't hurt you. |
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*海老で鯛を釣る (Ebi de tai wo tsuru) -- (lit. Fishing a sea beam by shrimp) |
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*見ぬが花。 |
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*江戸っ子は五月の鯉の吹き流し (Edokko ha gogatsu no koi no fukinagashi) -- (lit. ) |
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** ''Minu ga hana'' |
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*覆水盆にかえらず (Fukusui bon ni kaerazu) -- (lit. ) |
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** Literally: Not seeing is a flower. |
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*風前のともし火 (Fuuzen no tomoshibi) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: Reality can't compete with imagination. |
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*風樹の歎 (Fuuju no tan) -- (lit. ) |
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*花は桜木人は武士 |
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*芸が身を助ける (Gei ga mi wo tasukeru) -- (lit. Your skills help you) |
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** ''Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi'' |
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*芸が身を助けるほどの不仕合せ (Gei ga mi wo tasukeru hodo no fushiawase) -- (lit. ) |
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** Literally: [[Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi|Of flowers, the cherry blossom; of men, the warrior]]. |
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*下衆の後知恵 (Gesu no atojie) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: As the cherry blossom is considered foremost among flowers, so the warrior is foremost among men. |
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*義を見てせざるは勇無きなり (Gi wo mite sezaru ha yuu naki nari) -- (lit. ) |
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*肺肝を披く (Haikan wo hiraku) -- (lit. ) from 杜甫 |
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* 井の中の蛙大海を知らず |
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*肺肝を砕く (Haikan wo kudaku) -- (lit. ) |
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** ''I no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu'' |
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*八方塞がり (Happou fusagari) -- (lit. ) |
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** Literally: The frog in the well knows nothing of the ocean. |
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*盲蛇に怖じず (Mekura hebi ni ojizu) -- (lit. ) from 世話尽 |
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** Meaning: People who experience very little have a narrow world view. / He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill. |
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*へそで茶を沸かす (Heso de cha wo wakasu) -- (lit. Making tea on the navel) |
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*日暮れて道遠し (Higurete michi tooshi) -- (lit. It's a long way after dark) from 史記 |
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* かわいい子には旅をさせよ |
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*人の振り見て我が振りなおせ (Hito no furimite wagafuri naose) -- Instead of accusing others of bad manners, learn from it and behave yourself. (lit. Correct your own behavior by looking at others') |
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** ''Kawaii ko ni wa tabi wo saseyo'' |
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*冷や飯を食わせる (Hiyameshi wo kuwaseru) -- (lit. Letting him eat cold meal) |
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** Literally: Let your darling child travel. |
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*臍を固める (Hozo wo katameru) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: If you don't discipline your child, they will not learn obedience. / [[Spare the rod (disambiguation)|Spare the rod and spoil the child]]. |
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*言いたい事は明日言え (Iitai koto ha ashita ie) -- (lit. Say it tomorrow if you have something to say) |
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*犬も歩けば棒に当たる (Inu mo arukeba bou ni ataru) -- things happen when you do something (lit. even walking dogs hit a bar) |
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*案ずるより産むが易しい。 |
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*入り鉄砲に出女 (Iri deppou ni deonna) -- (lit. guns enter and women leave) |
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** ''Anzuru yori umu ga yasashii'' |
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*医者の不養生 (Isha no fuyoujou) -- A doctor may be careless about his/her own health (lit. A doctor's carelessness about his/her own health) |
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**Literally: Giving birth to a baby is easier than worrying about it. |
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*石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue nimo sannen) -- (lit. Sitting on a stone for three years) |
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**Meaning: Fear is greater than the danger. / An attempt is sometimes easier than expected. |
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*一石二鳥 (Isseki nicho) -- conveniently or smartly achieving two goals by making just one move (lit. two birds with one stone) English: Killing two birds with one stone |
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*言わぬが花 (Iwanu ga hana) -- When kept secret, people tend to imagine it is a very good thing (lit. not speaking is a flower) English equivalent: silence is golden. |
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* 船頭多くして船山に登る |
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*地獄耳 (Jigoku mimi) -- Ability to catch rumor, gossip, or anything of his/her benefit, or the person who has that ability (lit. Hell ear) |
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** ''Sendou ooku shite fune yama ni noboru'' |
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*壁に耳あり、障子に目あり (Kabe ni mimi ari, shoji ni me ari) -- one may not be fully aware of how closely one is being monitored by others (lit. the walls have ears, the doors have eyes) The English equivalent is just the walls have ears. |
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** Literally: Too many captains will steer the ship up a mountain. |
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*飼い犬に手をかまれる (Kaiinu ni te wo kamareru) -- (lit. Your own dog bites your hand) |
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** Meaning: Something may not be successful if too many people work on it at the same time. / [[wiktionary:too_many_cooks_spoil_the_broth|Too many cooks spoil the broth]]. |
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*金持ち喧嘩せず (Kanemochi kenka sezu) -- (lit. The rich don't fight) |
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*堪忍袋の緒が切れる (Kanninbukuro no o ga kireru) -- (lit. ) |
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* 蛙の子は蛙 |
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*河童の川流れ (Kappa no kawa nagare) -- Even professionals fails sometimes (lit. ) |
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** ''Kaeru no ko wa kaeru'' |
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*彼も人なりわれも人なり (Kare mo hito nari ware mo hito nari) -- (lit. He is a person and I am a person too) |
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** Literally: The child of a frog is frog. |
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*風吹けば桶屋が儲かる (Kaze fukeba okeya ga moukaku) -- The world is interconnected even though it doesn't seem to be (lit. A bucket shop profits when wind blows) |
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** Meaning: A child grows up similar to their parents. / Like father, like son. / The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. |
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*風の中で育った木は根が強い (Kaze no naka de sodatta ki ha ne ga tsuyoi) -- (lit. The root of a tree that grew up in wind is strong) |
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*風と女は閉じ込められない (Kaze to onna ha tojikome rarenai) -- (lit. You can't lock in wind or woman) |
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=== Idiomatic phrases === |
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*聞くは一時の恥 聞かぬは一生の恥 (Kiku ha ittoki no haji kikanu ha isshô no haji) -- (lit. Shame when you ask is less than when you didn't) |
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*[[wikt:猫に小判|猫に小判]] |
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*恋に師匠無し (Koi ni shishou nashi) -- (lit. There is no teacher for love) |
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** ''Neko ni koban'' |
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*国士無双 (Kokushi musou) -- (lit. No one else in the nation) |
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** Literally: Gold coins to a cat. |
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*紺屋の白袴 (Kouya no shiro bakama) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: Casting [[wikt:cast pearls before swine|pearls before swine]] / Giving something of value to a recipient that does not value it. |
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*食うだけなら犬でも食う (Kuu dakenara inu demo kuu) -- (lit. Even dogs eat) |
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*七転び八起き |
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*まかぬ種は生えぬ (Makanu tane ha haenu) -- (lit. It doesn't bud if you don't seed) |
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** ''Nanakorobi yaoki'' |
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*枕を高くして寝る (Makura wo takakushite neru) -- (lit. sleeping with tall pillow) |
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** Literally: Fall seven times and stand up eight |
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*待てば甘露の日和有り (Mateba kanro no hiyori ari) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: When life knocks you down, stand back up; What matters is not the bad that happened, but what one does after. |
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*芽が出る (Me ga deru) -- (lit. It buds) |
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*猿も木から落ちる |
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*明鏡も裏を照らさず (Meikyou mo ura wo terasazu) -- (lit. ) |
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** ''Saru mo ki kara ochiru'' |
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*名物に美味いものなし (Meibutsu ni umaimono nashi) -- (lit. No famous food is delicious) |
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** Literally: Even [[monkey]]s fall from [[tree]]s |
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*明鏡止水 (Meikyou shisui) -- (lit. ) from 荘子 |
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** Meaning: Anyone can make a mistake. |
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*餅は餅屋 (Mochi ha mochiya) -- Let a professional do it (lit. Mochi is mochi store) |
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*花より団子 |
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*ミイラとりがミイラになる (Miiratori ga miira ni naru) -- (lit. A mummy hunter becomes a mummy) |
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** ''Hana yori dango'' |
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*三日坊主 (Mikka bouzu) -- A person getting bored in three days (lit. A three-day monk) |
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** Literally: [[Dango|Dumplings]] rather than flowers |
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*無理は三度 (Muri ha sando) -- (lit. impossible is three times) |
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** Meaning: To prefer substance over form, as in to prefer to be given functional, useful items (such as dumplings) instead of merely decorative items (such as flowers). |
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*水の泡となる (Mizuno awato naru) -- (lit. it becomes a bubble of water) |
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*馬の耳に念仏 |
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*桃栗三年柿八年 (Momokuri sannen kaki hachinenn) -- (lit. You can harvest peaches and chestnuts in three years and persimmons in eight years) |
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** ''Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu'' |
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*物は試し (Monowa tameshi) -- give it a try (lit. things are to be tried) Just do it in English |
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** Literally: Chanting nenbutsu to a horse. |
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*門前市を成す (Monzen ichi wo nasu) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: Attempting to make an argument to a party that will not listen. / Preaching to the deaf. |
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*求めよさらば与えられん (Motomeyo sareba ataeraren) -- (lit. Want then you can get it) |
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*昔取った杵柄 (Mukashi totta kinezuka) -- Experiences from the past (lit. ) |
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* 水と油 |
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*無い袖は振れぬ (Naisode ha furenu) -- You can't do anything with it if you don't have it (lit. ) from 世話尽 |
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** ''Mizu to abura'' |
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*七転び八起き (Nanakorobi yaoki) -- (lit. You roll seven times and wake up eight times) |
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** Literally: Water and oil. |
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*ならぬ堪忍するが堪忍 (Naranu kannin suru ga kannin) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: Totally incompatible. / [Go together like] oil and water. |
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*夏の雨は、馬の背を分ける (Natsu no ame ha, uma no se wo wakeru) -- (lit. Summer rain separates the top of horse) |
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*猫も杓子も (Neko mo shakushi mo) -- Everybody (lit. ) |
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=== Four-character idioms === |
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*猫に小判 (Neko ni koban) -- It's not worth for him (lit. Money for cats) |
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{{Main|Yojijukugo}} |
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*猫を被る (Neko wo kaburu) -- (lit. You wear a cat) |
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*十人十色 |
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*煮え湯に水を差す (Nieyu ni mizu wo sasu) -- (lit. ) |
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** ''jūnin toiro'' |
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*能ある鷹は爪を隠す (Nou aru taka ha tsume wo kakusu) -- Talented hawks hide their nails (lit. ) |
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** Literally: ten persons, ten colors |
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*糠に釘 (Nuka ni kugi) -- (lit. ) |
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** Meaning: To each his own. / Different strokes for different folks. |
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*老い木に花 (Oiki ni hana) -- An old person behaving like young (lit. Flowers on a old tree) |
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*因果応報 |
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*女心と秋の空 (Onnagokoro to aki no sora) -- (lit. The mind of a woman in fall sky) |
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** ''inga ōhō'' |
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*押してもだめなら引いてみな (Oshitemo dame nara hiite mina) -- (lit. Pull if it does not work when you push) |
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** Literally: Cause bring result / bad causes bring bad results |
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*男心と秋の空 (Otokogogoro to aki no sora) -- (lit. The mind of a man and the fall sky) |
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** Meaning: what goes around comes around |
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*楽は苦の種 苦は楽の種 (Raku ha ku no tane ku ha raku no tane) -- (lit. ) |
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** Note: this is a Buddhist sentiment that emphasizes the idea of [[karmic retribution]]. |
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*礼も過ぎれば無礼 (Rei mo sugireba burei) -- (lit. More than polite is rude.) |
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*弱肉強食 |
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*李下に冠を正さず (Rika ni kanmuri wo tadasazu) -- (lit. ) |
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** ''jaku niku kyō shoku'' |
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*老少不定 (Roushou fujou) -- (lit. ) From French |
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** Literally: The weak are meat; the strong eat. |
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*類は友を呼ぶ (Rui ha tomowo yobu) -- Like-minded tend to befriend with each other. (lit. Similarities call friends) from 易経 Birds of a feather flock together, or perhaps, 'Great minds think alike in English. |
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** Meaning: [[Survival of the fittest]]. |
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*瑠璃も玻璃も照らせば光る (Ruri mo hari mo teraseba hikaru) -- (lit. ) |
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*瑠璃も玻璃も照らせばかわる (Ruri mo hari mo teraseba wakaru) -- (lit. ) |
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*塞翁が馬 (Saiou ga uma) -- (lit. ) |
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*才子才に倒れる (Saishi sai ni taoreru) -- (lit. Talented person fails because of the talent) |
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*策士、策におぼれる (Sakushi, sakushi ni oboreru) -- (lit. ) |
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*猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru) -- even experts make mistakes (lit. Even monkeys drop from a tree) |
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*青雲の志 (Seiun no kokorozashi) -- (lit. ambitious of blue sky) |
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*切磋琢磨 (Sessa takuma) -- (lit. ) |
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*四海波静か (Shikai nami shizuka) -- (lit. ) |
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*神出鬼没 (Shin shutsu ki botsu) -- unexpectedness of a person's behavior, indicating the person is clever (lit. to appear like a god and disappear like a phantom) |
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*疾風に勁草を知る (Shippuu ni keisou wo shiru) -- (lit. ) |
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*袖すり合うも他生の縁 (Sode suriau mo tasyou no en) -- (lit. ) |
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*滄海の一粟 (Soukai no ichizoku) -- (lit. ) |
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*水火も辞せず (Suika mo jisezu) -- (lit. ) |
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*するのは失敗何もしないのは大失敗 (Suru noha shippai nanimo shinai noha daishippai) -- (lit. Doing is a mistake, not doing is a huge mistake) |
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*旅の恥はかきすて (Tabi no haji ha kakisute) -- (lit. ) |
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*大海の一滴 (Taikai no itteki) -- (lit. One drop in the big ocean) |
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* 他人は時の花 (Tanin ha tokino hana) -- (lit. Others are flower of time) |
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* 楽しみは憂いに生ず (Tanoshimi ha ureini shouzu) |
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*立て板に水 (Tateita ni mizu) -- (lit. Water running on a vertical board) |
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*手を拱く (Te wo komaneku) -- (lit. ) |
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*天長地久 (Tenchou chikyuu) -- (lit. ) from 老子 |
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* 亭主の好きな赤烏帽子 (Teishu no sukina akaeboshi) |
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* 唐人の寝言 (Tojin no negoto) -- (lit. Sleepy words by [[Tang China]]) |
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* 燈台下暗し (Todai moto kurashi) |
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* 年寄の冷水 (Toshiyori no hiyamizu) -- (lit. An old man's chilly water) |
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*捕らぬ狸の皮算用 (Toranu tanuki no kawazan'you) -- (lit. ) |
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*取り付く島も無い (Toritsuku shima mo nai) -- (lit. ) |
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*頭角を表す (Toukaku wo arawasu) -- (lit. ) from 韓愈 |
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*ついた餅より心持ち (Tsuita mochi yori kokoro mochi) -- (lit. ) |
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*月夜に釜を抜かれる (Tsukiya ni kama wo nukareru) -- (lit. ) |
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*爪の垢を煎じて飲む (Tsume no aka wo senjite nomu) -- (lit. ) |
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*うどの大木 (Udo no taiboku) -- Just big man with nothing (lit. A huge udo tree) All bark and no bite or All hat and no cattle in English. |
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*烏合の衆 (Ugou no shu) -- (lit. People like cloud of birds) the unwahsed masses, or an unruly mob in English, perhaps. |
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*兎の角 (Usagi no tsuno) -- (lit. The horns of rabbits) |
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*ワインを損なう器は悪い器 (Wain wo sokonau utsuwa ha warui utsuwa) -- (lit. ) |
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*アワビの貝の片想い (Warabi no kai no kataomoi) -- (lit. ) |
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*笑う門には福来る (Warau kado niha fuku kitaru) -- Laughter/smile brings happiness and fortune (lit. fortune comes to a street corner of someone smiling) |
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*わわしい女は夫を食う (Wawashii onna ha otto wo kuu) -- (lit. ) |
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*災い転じて福となす (Wazawai tenjite fuku to nasu) -- (lit. ) |
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*薮から棒 (Yabu kara bou) -- (lit. A bar from bushes) |
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*焼け石に水 (Yakeishi ni muzu) -- Your effort is too little to affect something (lit. Putting water on hot stones) |
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*焼き餅焼くとて手を焼くな (Yakimochi yakutote te wo yakuna) -- (lit. ) |
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*病膏肓に入る (Yamai koukou ni iru) -- (lit. ) |
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*柳の下にいつも泥鰌はおらぬ (Yanagi no shita ni itsumo dojou ha oranu) -- (lit. ) |
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*宵越しの金は持たぬ (Yoigoshi no kane ha motanu) -- (lit. ) |
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*横槍を入れる (Yokoyari wo ireru) -- (lit. ) |
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*唯我独尊 (Yuiga dokuson) -- (lit. ) |
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*前人の植えた樹 (Zennin no ueta ki) -- You benefit from predecessors' hardships (lit. Trees planed by predecessors) |
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*自画自賛 (jiga jisan) -- You praise yourself (lit. Praise one's own work, maybe shamelessly) Every potter praises his own pot in English |
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*十人十色 (junin toiro) -- Different people have different preferences (lit. ) Different strokes for different folks, or one man's trash is another's treasure, or even it takes all sorts to make a world? in English |
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*朝の蜘蛛は福が来る、夜の蜘蛛は盗人が来る (asa no kumo ha fuku ga kuru, yoru no kumo ha nusutto ga kuru) -- (lit. ) |
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*八細工七貧乏 (hachi saiku shichi binbou) -- (lit. ) |
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*水は方円の器に随う (mizu ha hou en no utsuwa ni shitagau) -- (lit. ) |
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*本木(幹木)に勝るうら木無し (motoki ni masaru uraki nashi) -- (lit. ) |
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*焼木杙に火がつく (yake bokkui ni hi ga tsuku) -- (lit. ) |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[Chinese proverbs]] |
*[[Chinese proverbs]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Japanese culture]] |
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*[[Japanese culture]] |
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*[[Japanese language]] |
*[[Japanese language]] |
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*[[Korean proverbs]] |
*[[Korean proverbs]] |
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*[[Spanish proverbs]] |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== Further reading == |
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* De Lange, William. (2013). ''A Dictionary of Japanese Proverbs''. TOYO Press. {{ISBN| 978-1-891640-51-3}} |
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== External links == |
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{{wiktionary|Category:Japanese proverbs}} |
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{{wikiquote}} |
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*[https://kotowaza-dictionary.jp/ 故事ことわざ辞典] (in Japanese) |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110429040248/http://www.worldofquotes.com/proverb/Japanese/1/index.html Japanese Proverbs] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140712134616/http://thejapanesepage.com/kotowaza.htm Japanese Language Kotowaza – proverbs & sayings] |
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*[http://www.ok312.com/ Words of Wisdom OK312 「英⇔日」対照・名言ことわざ辞典] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20000117055612/http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/5623/kotowjis.html Nihon no Kotowaza] |
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*[http://www4.airnet.ne.jp/swata/swkoto_a.html ことわざ辞典] (in Japanese) |
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*[http://www.languagerealm.com/japanese/japaneseproverbs.php Japanese Kotowaza] (in Japanese and English) |
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*[http://www.kotowaza.org Japanese / English / Dutch v.v. Proverb dictionary] |
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*[http://www.goldenproverbs.com/tp_japanese.html Golden Proverbs] A nice collection of Japanese proverbs. |
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{{Asia topic |Proverbs of}} |
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[[Category:Japanese proverbs| ]] |
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[[Category:Proverbs by language]] |
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[[ja:日本のことわざ]] |
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== External Links == |
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*[http://www.thejapanesepage.com/kotowaza.htm Japanese Language Kotowaza - proverbs & sayings] - an excellent article about Japanese proverbs and saying |
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*[http://www.ok312.com/ Words of Wisdom OK312 「英⇔日」対照・名言ことわざ辞典] |
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*http://www.sf.airnet.ne.jp/swata/swkoto.html (in Japanese) |
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Latest revision as of 18:28, 25 July 2024
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2015) |
A Japanese proverb (諺, ことわざ, kotowaza) may take the form of:
- a short saying (言い習わし, iinarawashi),
- an idiomatic phrase (慣用句, kan'yōku), or
- a four-character idiom (四字熟語, yojijukugo).
Although "proverb" and "saying" are practically synonymous, the same cannot be said about "idiomatic phrase" and "four-character idiom". Not all kan'yōku and yojijukugo are proverbial. For instance, the kan'yōku kitsune no yomeiri (狐の嫁入り, literally 'a fox's wedding', meaning "a sunshower") and the yojijukugo koharubiyori (小春日和, literally 'small spring weather', meaning "Indian summer" – warm spring-like weather in early winter) are not proverbs. To be considered a proverb, a word or phrase must express a common truth or wisdom; it cannot be a mere noun.
Origin
[edit]Numerous Asian proverbs, including Japanese, appear to be derived from older Chinese proverbs, although it often is impossible to be completely sure about the direction of cultural influences (and hence, the origins of a particular proverb or idiomatic phrase).[1]
Because traditional Japanese culture was tied to agriculture, many Japanese proverbs are derived from agricultural customs and practices. Some are from the board game Go (e.g., fuseki o utsu (布石を打つ)), the tea ceremony (e.g., ichi go ichi e (一期一会)), and Buddhism. Many four-character idioms are from Chinese philosophy written in Classical Chinese, in particular "The Analects" by Confucius. (I no naka no kawazu (井の中の蛙, 'a frog in a well') is Classical Chinese, from the Zhuangzi.)
Usage
[edit]Japanese commonly use proverbs, often citing just the first part of common phrases for brevity. For example, one might say i no naka no kawazu (井の中の蛙, 'a frog in a well') to refer to the proverb i no naka no kawazu, taikai o shirazu (井の中の蛙、大海を知らず, 'a frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean'). Whereas proverbs in English are typically multi-worded phrases (e.g. "kill two birds with one stone"), Japanese yojijukugo borrow from Chinese and compactly convey the concept in one compound word (e.g., isseki nichō (一石二鳥, 'one stone two birds')).
Examples
[edit]Sayings
[edit]- 出る杭は打たれる。
- Deru kui wa utareru
- Literally: The stake that sticks up gets hammered down.
- Meaning: If you stand out, you will be subject to criticism.
- 知らぬが仏。
- Shiranu ga hotoke
- Literally: Not knowing is Buddha.
- Meaning: Ignorance is bliss. / What you don't know can't hurt you.
- 見ぬが花。
- Minu ga hana
- Literally: Not seeing is a flower.
- Meaning: Reality can't compete with imagination.
- 花は桜木人は武士
- Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi
- Literally: Of flowers, the cherry blossom; of men, the warrior.
- Meaning: As the cherry blossom is considered foremost among flowers, so the warrior is foremost among men.
- 井の中の蛙大海を知らず
- I no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu
- Literally: The frog in the well knows nothing of the ocean.
- Meaning: People who experience very little have a narrow world view. / He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill.
- かわいい子には旅をさせよ
- Kawaii ko ni wa tabi wo saseyo
- Literally: Let your darling child travel.
- Meaning: If you don't discipline your child, they will not learn obedience. / Spare the rod and spoil the child.
- 案ずるより産むが易しい。
- Anzuru yori umu ga yasashii
- Literally: Giving birth to a baby is easier than worrying about it.
- Meaning: Fear is greater than the danger. / An attempt is sometimes easier than expected.
- 船頭多くして船山に登る
- Sendou ooku shite fune yama ni noboru
- Literally: Too many captains will steer the ship up a mountain.
- Meaning: Something may not be successful if too many people work on it at the same time. / Too many cooks spoil the broth.
- 蛙の子は蛙
- Kaeru no ko wa kaeru
- Literally: The child of a frog is frog.
- Meaning: A child grows up similar to their parents. / Like father, like son. / The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Idiomatic phrases
[edit]- 猫に小判
- Neko ni koban
- Literally: Gold coins to a cat.
- Meaning: Casting pearls before swine / Giving something of value to a recipient that does not value it.
- 七転び八起き
- Nanakorobi yaoki
- Literally: Fall seven times and stand up eight
- Meaning: When life knocks you down, stand back up; What matters is not the bad that happened, but what one does after.
- 猿も木から落ちる
- 花より団子
- Hana yori dango
- Literally: Dumplings rather than flowers
- Meaning: To prefer substance over form, as in to prefer to be given functional, useful items (such as dumplings) instead of merely decorative items (such as flowers).
- 馬の耳に念仏
- Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu
- Literally: Chanting nenbutsu to a horse.
- Meaning: Attempting to make an argument to a party that will not listen. / Preaching to the deaf.
- 水と油
- Mizu to abura
- Literally: Water and oil.
- Meaning: Totally incompatible. / [Go together like] oil and water.
Four-character idioms
[edit]- 十人十色
- jūnin toiro
- Literally: ten persons, ten colors
- Meaning: To each his own. / Different strokes for different folks.
- 因果応報
- inga ōhō
- Literally: Cause bring result / bad causes bring bad results
- Meaning: what goes around comes around
- Note: this is a Buddhist sentiment that emphasizes the idea of karmic retribution.
- 弱肉強食
- jaku niku kyō shoku
- Literally: The weak are meat; the strong eat.
- Meaning: Survival of the fittest.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Stone, Jon R. (2006). The Routledge Book of World Proverbs (Taylor & Francis e-Library ed.). 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10016: Routledge. pp. xiv–xv. ISBN 9780203968956. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
Further reading
[edit]- De Lange, William. (2013). A Dictionary of Japanese Proverbs. TOYO Press. ISBN 978-1-891640-51-3
External links
[edit]
Look up Category:Japanese proverbs in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Japanese proverbs.
- 故事ことわざ辞典 (in Japanese)
- Japanese Proverbs
- Japanese Language Kotowaza – proverbs & sayings
- Words of Wisdom OK312 「英⇔日」対照・名言ことわざ辞典
- Nihon no Kotowaza
- ことわざ辞典 (in Japanese)
- Japanese Kotowaza (in Japanese and English)
- Japanese / English / Dutch v.v. Proverb dictionary
- Golden Proverbs A nice collection of Japanese proverbs.
