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Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 血は水よりも濃い

ちはみずよりもこい (Chi wa mizu yori mo koi)

English Translation:

Blood is thicker than water / Family ties come first

Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Family bonds are stronger than any other relationship, so relatives stick together in the end.
日本語で読む
血のつながった家族の絆は、他人との関係よりも強いという意味。

Cultural Context:

It is a translation of the Western proverb "Blood is thicker than water." It may also be used when relatives who often quarrel still help each other in a pinch.
日本語で読む
西洋のことわざ「Blood is thicker than water」を訳した言葉です。ふだんけんかばかりの兄弟が、いざというときに助け合うようすに使うこともあります。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

血 (blood) stands for family, よりも means "more than," and 濃い means "thick": "blood is thicker than water."
日本語で読む
「血」は血のつながった家族、「よりも」は比べる言葉で、「濃い」は「つながりが強い」ことを表しています。

Trap for English Speakers

It is about family ties, not about blood types or health. It is also said as 血は水より濃い, without も.
日本語で読む
血液型や健康の話ではありません。「も」を省いて「血は水より濃い」と言うこともあります。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 家族とは口げんかばかりだけど、困ったときは真っ先に助けてくれた。血は水よりも濃いね。

    We argue all the time, but my family was the first to help when I was in trouble. Blood is thicker than water.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 敵の里に捕らわれた弟を、兄の忍びはただ一人で助けに向かった。血は水よりも濃いのである。

    The ninja went alone to rescue his younger brother, held captive in an enemy village. Blood is thicker than water.

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「血は水よりも濃い」 mean?

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