Japanese meaning of 聞くは一時の恥聞かぬは一生の恥
Reading:
きくはいっときのはじきかぬはいっしょうのはじ (kiku wa ittoki no haji kikanu wa isshō no haji)
English Translation:
Better to ask than remain ignorant
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Brief embarrassment from asking is better than lifelong ignorance.
質問の一時的な恥は、無知の一生よりましという意味。
Cultural Context:
Used in schools, trainings, and professional apprenticeships (senpai–kōhai settings).
学校・研修・徒弟関係（先輩後輩）で推奨される姿勢。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 聞くは (kiku wa) = noun form of 聞く (“to ask/hear”) + topic particle は
• 一時の恥 (ichiji no haji) = “momentary shame” (noun phrase)
• 聞かぬは (kikanu wa) = classical negative form of 聞く (“to ask”) + topic particle は
• 一生の恥 (isshō no haji) = “lifelong shame” (noun phrase)
Parallel topic–comment clauses contrasting short-term embarrassment with long-term regret.
Trap for English Speakers
Might be taken as actually praising shame; it encourages asking questions despite brief embarrassment.
Example
Basic Example
質問するのをためらうより、聞くは一時の恥聞かぬは一生の恥だ。
It’s better to ask than remain ignorant—better to ask than remain ignorant.
Applied Example
ルールが分からないなら聞け、聞くは一時の恥聞かぬは一生の恥だぞ。
If you don’t know the rules, ask—better to ask than remain ignorant.