Japanese meaning of 臥薪嘗胆
Reading:
がしんしょうたん (gashin shoutan)
English Translation:
Enduring hardships to achieve revenge or success
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To endure hardships with determination to achieve revenge or a great goal.
Cultural Context:
Originates from Chinese history, where generals endured great hardships to prepare for revenge; widely known in Japan as a proverb of perseverance.
復讐や大きな目標達成のために苦労を耐え忍ぶこと。
中国の歴史故事に由来し、将軍が復讐のために大きな苦労を耐えた逸話から生まれ、日本でも忍耐や努力のことわざとして広く知られる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “の日々” or “の末に” to describe enduring hardship for a goal (“臥薪嘗胆の日々”).
• Often paired with “を目指して” or “の覚悟” in formal writing.
Trap for English Speakers
Might be assumed to mean any perseverance, but it refers specifically to hardship endured with a long-term, often revenge-driven, purpose.
Example
Basic Example
合格のために臥薪嘗胆の日々を送っている。
I’ve been enduring hardships every day to pass the exam.
Applied Example
臥薪嘗胆の末、ようやく雪辱を果たした。
After enduring hardships and humiliation, he finally avenged his loss.