「将を射んと欲すればまず馬を射よ」の意味と英訳

読み方：
しょうをいんとほっすればまずうまをいよ (shō o in to hossureba mazu uma o iyo)

英訳

Cut off the head of the snake

意味と文化的な背景

意味：


要の部分を狙うことで全体を制するという意味。
Aim for the key point to control the whole.

文化的な背景：


軍事戦略に由来。政治、ビジネス、競技スポーツなどで使われる。
Originates from military strategy. Used in politics, business, and competitive sports.

英訳文法・学習のポイント

英訳文法のポイント

• 将 (shō) = “general” or “commander” (noun)
• を (o) = object marker, marking “general” as the target
• 射んと欲すれば (in to hosureba) = classical expression meaning “if you wish to shoot”; 射ん is the volitional form of 射る (iru, “to shoot”), と = quotation particle, 欲す = classical verb meaning “to wish”, れば = conditional form
• まず (mazu) = “first” or “before anything else” (adverb)
• 馬 (uma) = “horse” (noun)
• を射よ (o iyo) = object marker を + imperative form of 射る (iru, “to shoot”)
The sentence uses a conditional clause followed by an imperative, creating a proverb-like cause–action structure.

英訳の注意ポイント

May be interpreted as only literal archery advice; it’s metaphorical about targeting the source of a problem.

例文

基本の例文

交渉を進めるなら決裁者の課題を押さえよう。将を射んと欲すればまず馬を射よ。

To move the deal forward, address the decision-maker’s pain points—Cut off the head of the snake.


応用例

ボスを倒すには先に支援モブを落とせ。将を射んと欲すればまず馬を射よ。

To beat the boss, take out the support mobs first—Cut off the head of the snake.