Japanese meaning of 善は急げ
Reading:
ぜんはいそげ (zen wa isoge)
English Translation:
Good deeds should be done quickly
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Act quickly when something is good or beneficial.
Cultural Context:
Originates from the moral idea that good deeds should not be delayed. Common in everyday conversation in Japan.
良いことや有益なことは思い立ったらすぐ行動すべきという意味。
善行は先延ばしせず行うべきという価値観に由来。日常会話でよく使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
Zen wa isoge (善は急げ) uses the structure:
• 善 (zen) = “good” or “good deed” (noun)
• は (wa) = topic particle, marking “good” as the topic
• 急げ (isoge) = imperative form of the verb 急ぐ (isogu, “to hurry”)
• This is an example of noun + は + imperative verb, a pattern often found in proverbs to make them short, direct, and memorable.
Trap for English Speakers
May be mistranslated as “Goodness, hurry!” without understanding the conditional nuance.
Example
Basic Example
アイデアが浮かんだ今のうちに提案書を書こう。善は急げ。
The idea just came to me—let me draft the proposal now. Good deeds should be done quickly.
Applied Example
レイド募集が始まった！今すぐパーティ組もう、善は急げだ。
The raid sign-ups just opened; let’s form the party now—Good deeds should be done quickly.