Japanese meaning of 十年一日
Reading:
じゅうねんいちじつ (jūnen ichijitsu)
English Translation:
No change over a long period, as if time stood still.
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
No change over a long period, as if time stood still.
Cultural Context:
Originates from Chinese idioms, often used critically to describe stagnation in organizations or systems. In modern Japanese, it can be used for both people and institutions.
長い年月が経っても変化がないさま。
中国の故事成語に由来し、組織や制度の停滞を批判的に述べる際によく使われる。現代日本語では人物や団体の変わらない様子にも使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase used with “のように変わらない” or “である” to emphasize stagnation (“十年一日のように変わらない”).
• Often paired with critical or negative statements.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal reading may confuse learners into thinking it’s a short period; it's metaphorical.
Example
Basic Example
彼の生活は十年一日、変わらぬ日課だった。
His daily routine has been unchanged for ten years.
Applied Example
十年間同じペースで努力を続けてきた。まるで十年一日だ。
He’d kept the same pace of effort for ten years straight — like time standing still.