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Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず

Reading:

こけつにいらずんばこじをえず (Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu)

English Translation:

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Emotion: Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Without taking risks, you cannot achieve great rewards. This proverb uses the image of entering a tiger’s den to show that courage and bold action are necessary to gain something valuable. It encourages people to overcome fear and act bravely when opportunity arises.
日本語で読む
危険を冒さなければ大きな成果は得られないという教えです。虎の巣に入るほどの覚悟と勇気がなければ虎の子は得られない、つまり挑戦する勇気の大切さを伝えています。

Cultural Context:

Courage and calculated risk-taking are respected in Japanese society.
日本語で読む
日本でも勇気やチャレンジ精神が評価され、このことわざはその価値観を示します。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

Uses conditional form "～ずんば～得ず" (if not A, then not B).
日本語で読む
「～ずんば～得ず」の古典的な仮定構文を使用。

Trap for English Speakers

Not about real tigers or dens; it's a metaphor for risk and reward.
日本語で読む
直訳だと物理的な虎穴だが、実際は比喩表現。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず　彼女は迷わず難関資格に挑んだ。まさに「虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず」だ。

    She went for the toughest certification without hesitation—nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 全国大会の出場枠は一つだけ。「虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず」と言い切って、彼は最難関の技に挑んだ。

    In a tournament with only one national slot, he chose the hardest move, saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

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Quick check

Meaning

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