Japanese meaning of 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず
Reading:
こけつにいらずんばこじをえず (Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu)
English Translation:
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Without taking risks, you cannot achieve great rewards. This proverb uses the image of entering a tiger’s den to show that courage and bold action are necessary to gain something valuable. It encourages people to overcome fear and act bravely when opportunity arises.
危険を冒さなければ大きな成果は得られないという教えです。虎の巣に入るほどの覚悟と勇気がなければ虎の子は得られない、つまり挑戦する勇気の大切さを伝えています。
Cultural Context:
Courage and calculated risk-taking are respected in Japanese society.
日本でも勇気やチャレンジ精神が評価され、このことわざはその価値観を示します。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
Uses conditional form "～ずんば～得ず" (if not A, then not B).
Trap for English Speakers
Not about real tigers or dens; it's a metaphor for risk and reward.
Example
Basic Example
虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず 彼女は迷わず難関資格に挑んだ。まさに「虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず」だ。
She went for the toughest certification without hesitation—nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Applied Example
全国大会の出場枠は一つだけ。「虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず」と言い切って、彼は最難関の技に挑んだ。
In a tournament with only one national slot, he chose the hardest move, saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”