Japanese Proverbs & Idioms – English Translations

Voice sample: AI

勇往邁進

ゆうおうまいしん (yuuou maishin)

Pressing forward with indomitable spirit

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Basic Example

彼は夢に向かって勇往邁進している。

He is pressing forward toward his dream with unwavering determination.

Applied Example

勇往邁進で突き進み、誰も彼を止められなかった。

He charged forward with unfaltering resolve, and no one could stop him.

Voice sample: AI

弘法筆を選ばず

こうぼうふでをえらばず (kōbō fude o erabazu)

A good workman does not blame his tools

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Basic Example

本当に腕の立つ人は道具を選ばない、弘法筆を選ばずだ。

A skilled person doesn’t blame their tools—a good workman does not blame his tools.

Applied Example

練習用の古いラケットでも完勝…弘法筆を選ばずだ。

Winning easily with an old practice racket—a good workman does not blame his tools.

Voice sample: AI

天災地変

てんさいちへん (tensai chi hen)

Natural disasters and catastrophes

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Basic Example

天災地変は予測できないから備えが大事だ。

Natural disasters are unpredictable, so preparation is key.

Applied Example

天災地変のごとき嵐が街を飲み込み、静寂が残った。

Like a natural disaster, the storm swallowed the city, leaving only silence.

Voice sample: AI

親の心子知らず

おやのこころこしらず (oya no kokoro ko shirazu)

Children don’t understand a parent’s heart

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Basic Example

子どもは親の気持ちを理解しない、親の心子知らずだ。

Children often don’t understand a parent’s feelings—children don’t understand a parent’s heart.

Applied Example

試合を休ませた理由を分かってない…親の心子知らずだな。

He doesn’t get why I benched him—children don’t understand a parent’s heart.

Voice sample: AI

右顧左眄

うこさべん (uko saben)

Looking around hesitantly; being overly cautious

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Basic Example

右顧左眄してばかりで前に進めない。

Constantly looking around indecisively keeps you from moving forward.

Applied Example

「右顧左眄してる暇はない。前だけ見ろ。」

There’s no time to look right and left — keep your eyes forward.

Voice sample: AI

飛んで火に入る夏の虫

とんでひにいるなつのむし (tonde hi ni iru natsu no mushi)

Like a moth to the flame

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Basic Example

危険に引き寄せられるのは、飛んで火に入る夏の虫のようだ。

Being drawn to danger is like a moth to the flame.

Applied Example

彼、危ないタックルに突っ込んでった…飛んで火に入る夏の虫だな。

He dove right into a dangerous tackle—like a moth to the flame.

Voice sample: AI

一刀両断

いっとうりょうだん (ittou ryou dan)

Decisive action; cutting through with a single stroke

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Basic Example

彼は一刀両断にその案を否定した。

He rejected the idea outright.

Applied Example

複雑な議論を一刀両断、迷いを断ち切るその姿に場が静まり返った。

With a single decisive cut, he ended the tangled debate, and the room fell silent.

Voice sample: AI

聞くは一時の恥聞かぬは一生の恥

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)

Better to ask than remain ignorant

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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.

Voice sample: AI

適材適所

てきざいてきしょ (tekizai tekisho)

The right person in the right place

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Basic Example

適材適所の人事でプロジェクトがうまく回り始めた。

Assigning the right person to the right position made the project run smoothly.

Applied Example

適材適所の采配で試合を制した。

They won the match through putting the right people in the right positions.

Voice sample: AI

三つ子の魂百まで

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

What is learned in the cradle is carried to the grave

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Basic Example

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.

Applied Example

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.