Japanese meaning of 仏の顔も三度まで
Reading:
ほとけのかおもさんどまで (hotoke no kao mo sando made)
English Translation:
Even patience has limits
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Even the kindest person has a breaking point.
Cultural Context:
Connected to Buddhist imagery of the compassionate Buddha showing restraint before anger.
どんなに優しい人でも我慢の限界を迎える時があるという意味。
仏のように穏やかな人でも限界に達することを、仏教的イメージとともに表す。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 仏 (hotoke) = “Buddha” (noun)
• の (no) = possessive/attributive particle
• 顔 (kao) = “face” (noun)
• も (mo) = particle meaning “even”
• 三度 (sando) = “three times” (noun)
• まで (made) = particle meaning “up to”
Noun phrase with particles emphasizing a limit, often used in warnings.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it’s a metaphor for patience having limits.
Example
Basic Example
我慢にも限界があり、仏の顔も三度までということを覚えておこう。
Even patience has limits—remember, even a saint gets angry after three times.
Applied Example
温厚な隊長でも三度注意したら限界、仏の顔も三度までだ。
Even our gentle captain loses it after the third warning—patience has limits.