Japanese meaning of 鶏口牛後
Reading:
けいこうぎゅうご (keikou gyuugo)
English Translation:
Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a cow
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Better to be the head of a small group than the tail of a large one
Cultural Context:
Business leadership, personal career advice, entrepreneurship.
大きな集団の末端より、小さな集団の長になる方がよい。
経営・キャリア助言・起業の場で引用される。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase meaning “better to be the head of a small group”; often with “を選ぶ.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be misunderstood as arrogance.
Example
Basic Example
彼は大企業よりも鶏口牛後を選んだ。
He chose to be the head of a small organization rather than the tail of a large one.
Applied Example
彼は大企業の末端にいるよりも、鶏口牛後を選んで小さな会社の社長になった。
He chose to be president of a small company, believing it’s Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a cow.