PhraseNinja

Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 鬼が出るか蛇が出るか

おにがでるかじゃがでるか (Oni ga deru ka ja ga deru ka)

English Translation:

Will a demon come out or a snake? / Who knows what lies ahead

Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

You cannot tell what will happen next, and it might be something scary.
日本語で読む
これから何が起こるか全くわからず、こわいものが出てくるかもしれないという意味。

Cultural Context:

It is said right before you step into something unknown, such as opening a door, meeting a difficult client, or seeing exam results.
日本語で読む
はじめての場所に入るときや、むずかしい相手に会うときなど、先が読めないことに飛びこむ前に言います。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

出るか means "whether it comes out." Two 〜か phrases in a row mean "~ or ~, who knows."
日本語で読む
「〜か〜か」と二つ並べて、どちらになるかわからないことを表します。

Trap for English Speakers

Here 蛇 is read じゃ, not へび. It is not about real demons or snakes.
日本語で読む
ここでは「蛇」を「へび」ではなく「じゃ」と読みます。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 社長室に呼ばれた。鬼が出るか蛇が出るか、とにかく行くしかない。

    I've been called to the president's office. Who knows what's waiting, but I have to go.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 洞窟の奥には何がいるのか。鬼が出るか蛇が出るか、忍びはたいまつを掲げて進んだ。

    What waits deep in the cave? Demon or snake, the ninja raised his torch and went in.

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「鬼が出るか蛇が出るか」 mean?

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