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Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 百里の道も九十九里をもって半ばとす

Reading:

ひゃくりのみちもくじゅうくりをもってなかばとす (Hyakuri no michi mo kujūkyūri wo motte nakaba to su)

English Translation:

The last mile is the hardest

Emotion: Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Even when you’ve completed 99 out of 100 miles, your journey is not truly over until you finish the last mile. This proverb warns against letting your guard down or losing focus just before reaching your goal, emphasizing the importance of finishing strong.
日本語で読む
どれだけ進んでも、最後までやり遂げなければ意味がないという教えです。終盤で気を抜かず、完遂することの重要性を説いています。

Cultural Context:

Emphasizes finishing tasks completely, a trait praised in Japanese work ethic.
日本語で読む
「最後までやりきる」姿勢を評価する日本の職業倫理を反映。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

Uses classical structure “…をもって…とす” to express judgment.
日本語で読む
古語「…をもって…とす」で評価を示す文型。

Trap for English Speakers

Literal distance “ri” may confuse; it’s a metaphor for progress.
日本語で読む
「百里」「九十九里」は距離の比喩で実際の里程ではない。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 最後の仕上げこそ大事。百里の道も九十九里をもって半ばとす。

    The last stretch is the most important — the last mile is the hardest.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. ゴール目前で油断し、逆転された。百里の道も九十九里をもって半ばとすだ。

    He let his guard down just before the finish line and was overtaken — the last mile is the hardest.

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Quick check

Meaning

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