Japanese meaning of 飛んで火に入る夏の虫
Reading:
とんでひにいるなつのむし (tonde hi ni iru natsu no mushi)
English Translation:
Like a moth to the flame
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Rushing into danger drawn by attraction.
Cultural Context:
Summer moths to flame; used in crime reports, investment manias, and youth culture talk.
魅力に引き寄せられて危険に飛び込むという意味。
夏の虫の比喩。事件報道・投機熱・若者文化の話題で用いられる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 飛んで (tonde) = te-form of 飛ぶ (“to fly”)
• 火に入る (hi ni hairu) = “to enter the fire” (verb phrase)
• 夏の虫 (natsu no mushi) = “summer insect” (noun phrase)
Verb phrase + noun phrase, metaphor for rushing into danger.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it depicts rushing into danger drawn by attraction.
Example
Basic Example
危険に引き寄せられるのは、飛んで火に入る夏の虫のようだ。
Being drawn to danger is like a moth to the flame.
Applied Example
彼、危ないタックルに突っ込んでった…飛んで火に入る夏の虫だな。
He dove right into a dangerous tackle—like a moth to the flame.