PhraseNinja

Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 雨垂れ石を穿つ

Reading:

あまだれいしをうがつ (Amadare ishi wo ugatsu)

English Translation:

Constant dripping wears away the stone / Perseverance prevails

Emotion: Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Steady, persistent effort—no matter how small—can accomplish things that seem impossible at first. Like drops of water eventually wearing a hole in stone, patience and consistency are powerful tools for achieving long-term goals.
日本語で読む
小さな努力でも根気よく続ければ、やがて大きな成果や変化を生むことができるというたとえです。継続や忍耐の力を強調することわざです。

Cultural Context:

Highlights the Japanese respect for patience, persistence, and the long-term view.
日本語で読む
日本では継続の力や忍耐の大切さが重視され、このことわざによく表れています。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

Uses a cause-and-effect structure with "を" as the object particle.
日本語で読む
「を」で目的語を示し、因果を強調。

Trap for English Speakers

May be confused as only about water and stone, but it’s a metaphor for perseverance.
日本語で読む
水と石の話だけでなく、努力の比喩だと理解する必要があります。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 毎日の基礎練習は小さな一歩でも、雨垂れ石を穿つのだ。

    Even small steps in daily drills can have a big impact — constant dripping wears away the stone.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「見ろよ、この成果。雨垂れ石を穿つって本当だな。」

    Look at this progress. Constant dripping wears away the stone — it’s true.

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「雨垂れ石を穿つ」 mean?

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