Japanese meaning of 七転び八起き
Reading:
ななころびやおき (Nana korobi ya oki)
English Translation:
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again / Fall down seven times, get up eight
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
No matter how many times you fail, what matters most is your ability to stand back up. This proverb embodies resilience and the never-give-up spirit, emphasizing that true strength lies in persistence.
Cultural Context:
Persistence is highly valued in Japanese culture, and this proverb embodies the spirit of never giving up.
何度失敗しても、そのたびに立ち上がることが真の強さであるという教え。あきらめずに挑戦し続ける姿勢の重要性を表しています。
日本文化では「粘り強さ」が重んじられ、このことわざは諦めない精神を象徴しています。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
Uses numerical repetition to emphasize frequency and resilience.
Trap for English Speakers
May be misinterpreted as literal falling and rising, but it's metaphorical.
Example
Basic Example
何度失敗しても、七転び八起きでまた立ち上がる。
No matter how many times you fail, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Applied Example
投げられても立ち上がり、また向かっていく。七転び八起き、その執念が試合を変えた。
Thrown to the mat, she stood up again and faced her opponent. Fall down seven times, get up eight — that persistence changed the match.