Japanese meaning of 生き恥をさらすくらいなら死ぬ方がいい
Reading:
いきはじをさらすくらいならしぬほうがいい (ikihaji o sarasu kurai nara shinu hō ga ii)
English Translation:
I'd rather die than live in shame.
Scene & Cultural Context
Scene Context:
During the Davy Back Fight against the Foxy Pirates, Zoro says this to Nami, making it clear that he will never compromise his pride, even in a seemingly trivial contest. His words reaffirm his belief that honor outweighs life itself.
Cultural Context:
This reflects a traditional Japanese value found in bushidō and samurai culture, where honor and reputation can outweigh life itself. Choosing death over disgrace appears in many classic tales, war chronicles, and historical accounts.
フォクシー海賊団とのデービーバックファイトの最中、ナミに向かってゾロが言ったセリフ。たとえ一見くだらない勝負でも、誇りを曲げてまで勝つことはせず、命よりも名誉を重んじる信念を示している。
これは武士道や侍文化に見られる日本の伝統的価値観を反映しており、名誉や評判が命よりも重いとされる。恥をかくくらいなら死を選ぶという価値観は、古典文学や軍記物、歴史的逸話にも多く登場する。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• [生き恥] = “living shame,” a compound noun referring to dishonor experienced while still alive.
• [をさらす] = Verb phrase meaning “to expose” or “to show publicly.”
• [くらいなら] = A conditional expression meaning “if it comes to the point of” or “rather than.”
• [死ぬ方がいい] = Comparative structure meaning “it’s better to die.”
Trap for English Speakers
Might interpret “live in shame” as simply “feeling embarrassed,” but in Japanese, 生き恥 implies a deep, life-staining disgrace, not just temporary embarrassment.
Example
Basic Example
仲間を裏切って生き恥をさらすくらいなら死ぬ方がいい。
I'd rather die than betray my friends and live in shame.
Applied Example
ダイエット中に夜中のカップ麺を食べるくらいなら死ぬ方がいい。
I'd rather die than eat instant noodles at midnight while on a diet.