PhraseNinja

Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 風前の灯

Reading:

ふうぜんのともしび (fūzen no tomoshibi)

English Translation:

A candle in the wind

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

On the brink of extinction or collapse.
日本語で読む
滅びる寸前・風前のともしびの状態という意味。

Cultural Context:

Used in literature and news about endangered culture, aging shops, or struggling firms.
日本語で読む
文学・報道で、消えゆく文化・老舗の危機・経営難の企業などに用いられる。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• 風前 (fūzen) = “before the wind” (noun phrase)<br>• の (no) = possessive/attributive particle<br>• 灯 (tō) = “lamp/light” (noun)<br>Noun phrase + の + noun, metaphor for a precarious situation about to be extinguished.
日本語で読む
• 風前 = 「風の前」を表す名詞句<br>• の = 所有・連体を示す助詞<br>• 灯 = 「ともしび・灯火」を表す名詞<br>消えかかっている危うい状態を表す比喩的構造です。

Trap for English Speakers

Literal meaning may confuse learners; it indicates something on the brink of collapse.
日本語で読む
風に揺れる灯の直訳に見えるが、消えかけの状態を示す比喩。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 今にも消えそうな状態は、まさに風前の灯だ。

    A situation on the brink of collapse is like a candle in the wind.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 逆転負け寸前のチームは風前の灯だ。

    The team about to lose in the final seconds is a candle in the wind.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「風前の灯」 mean?

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