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Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 三つ子の魂百まで

Reading:

みつごのたましいひゃくまで (mitsugo no tamashii hyaku made)

English Translation:

What is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Early traits persist throughout life.
日本語で読む
幼少期の性質や習慣は大人になっても残りやすいという意味。

Cultural Context:

Appears in child-rearing and education; sometimes discussed with modern developmental psychology.
日本語で読む
育児・教育で引用。発達心理学の観点からの再解釈も。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• 三つ子の魂 (mitsugo no tamashii) = “soul of a three-year-old” (noun phrase)<br>• 百まで (hyaku made) = “until one hundred years old” (set phrase indicating lifetime)<br>Noun phrase + time expression, showing a person’s nature remains unchanged throughout life.
日本語で読む
• 三つ子の魂 = 「三歳児の魂」を表す名詞句<br>• 百まで = 「百歳まで」を意味する慣用表現<br>名詞句 + 時間表現 という形で、幼少期の性質が生涯変わらないことを表します。

Trap for English Speakers

Literal meaning may confuse learners; “mitsugo” refers to a three-year-old, and it says early traits persist.
日本語で読む
“三つ子”を双子・三つ子の意と誤解しやすいが、「三歳児」の意で、幼少期の性質は残りやすいという教訓。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 幼いころの性格や癖は三つ子の魂百まで続く。

    Habits from childhood remain for life—what is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. あいつ、小学時代からの勝負強さが今も健在…三つ子の魂百までだな。

    His clutch play from grade school days is still there—what is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave.

Quick check

Meaning

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