Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 臥薪嘗胆
Reading:
Voice sample:
がしんしょうたん (gashin shoutan)
English Translation:
Enduring hardships to achieve revenge or success
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To endure hardships with determination to achieve revenge or a great goal.
日本語で読む
復讐や大きな目標達成のために苦労を耐え忍ぶこと。
Cultural Context:
Originates from Chinese history, where generals endured great hardships to prepare for revenge; widely known in Japan as a proverb of perseverance.
日本語で読む
中国の歴史故事に由来し、将軍が復讐のために大きな苦労を耐えた逸話から生まれ、日本でも忍耐や努力のことわざとして広く知られる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “の日々” or “の末に” to describe enduring hardship for a goal (“臥薪嘗胆の日々”).<br>• Often paired with “を目指して” or “の覚悟” in formal writing.
日本語で読む
• 目的達成のための苦労や努力を表す「〜の日々」「〜の末に」（例：「臥薪嘗胆の日々」）。<br>• 文語調では「〜を目指して」「〜の覚悟」と組み合わせて用いられる。
Trap for English Speakers
Might be assumed to mean any perseverance, but it refers specifically to hardship endured with a long-term, often revenge-driven, purpose.
日本語で読む
単なる努力全般ではなく、長期的かつ復讐や雪辱の意図を伴う苦労を指す点に注意。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
合格のために臥薪嘗胆の日々を送っている。
I’ve been enduring hardships every day to pass the exam.
Example 2Applied Example
臥薪嘗胆の末、ようやく雪辱を果たした。
After enduring hardships and humiliation, he finally avenged his loss.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「臥薪嘗胆」 mean?