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Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 下手な鉄砲も数撃ちゃ当たる

へたなてっぽうもかずうちゃあたる (Heta na teppō mo kazu ucha ataru)

English Translation:

Even a bad shot hits if he fires enough / Keep trying and you'll hit something

Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Even an unskilled person may succeed if they try many times.
日本語で読む
下手でも何度も挑戦すれば、いつかはうまくいくという意味。

Cultural Context:

It may also be used about job hunting, contests, or dating, where many tries are needed.
日本語で読む
就職活動や懸賞など、何度も挑戦する場面で使うこともあります。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

撃ちゃ is a casual spoken form of 撃てば: "if you shoot."
日本語で読む
「撃ちゃ」は「撃てば」のくだけた言い方です。

Trap for English Speakers

Said about someone else's efforts, it may sound like you are calling them unskilled.
日本語で読む
人の挑戦について言うと「下手」と言っているように聞こえるので、失礼になることもあります。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 懸賞はがきを50枚出したら、1枚当たった。下手な鉄砲も数撃ちゃ当たるだね。

    I sent in 50 prize postcards and one of them won. Keep trying and you'll hit something.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 手裏剣が苦手な見習い忍者は、百枚投げてようやく的の真ん中に一枚当てた。下手な鉄砲も数撃ちゃ当たる。

    The apprentice ninja, bad at throwing stars, finally hit the center of the target after throwing a hundred. Even a bad shot hits if he fires enough.

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「下手な鉄砲も数撃ちゃ当たる」 mean?

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