Japanese meaning of 雨垂れ石を穿つ
Reading:
あまだれいしをうがつ (Amadare ishi wo ugatsu)
English Translation:
Constant dripping wears away the stone / Perseverance prevails
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Steady, persistent effort—no matter how small—can accomplish things that seem impossible at first. Like drops of water eventually wearing a hole in stone, patience and consistency are powerful tools for achieving long-term goals.
Cultural Context:
Highlights the Japanese respect for patience, persistence, and the long-term view.
小さな努力でも根気よく続ければ、やがて大きな成果や変化を生むことができるというたとえです。継続や忍耐の力を強調することわざです。
日本では継続の力や忍耐の大切さが重視され、このことわざによく表れています。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
Uses a cause-and-effect structure with "を" as the object particle.
Trap for English Speakers
May be confused as only about water and stone, but it’s a metaphor for perseverance.
Example
Basic Example
毎日の基礎練習は小さな一歩でも、雨垂れ石を穿つのだ。
Even small steps in daily drills can have a big impact — constant dripping wears away the stone.
Applied Example
「見ろよ、この成果。雨垂れ石を穿つって本当だな。」
Look at this progress. Constant dripping wears away the stone — it’s true.