Proverbs
Japanese meaning of 将を射んと欲すればまず馬を射よ
Reading:
Voice sample:
しょうをいんとほっすればまずうまをいよ (shō o in to hossureba mazu uma o iyo)
English Translation:
Cut off the head of the snake
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Aim for the key point to control the whole.
日本語で読む
要の部分を狙うことで全体を制するという意味。
Cultural Context:
Originates from military strategy. Used in politics, business, and competitive sports.
日本語で読む
軍事戦略に由来。政治、ビジネス、競技スポーツなどで使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 将 (shō) = “general” or “commander” (noun)<br>• を (o) = object marker, marking “general” as the target<br>• 射んと欲すれば (in to hosureba) = classical expression meaning “if you wish to shoot”; 射ん is the volitional form of 射る (iru, “to shoot”), と = quotation particle, 欲す = classical verb meaning “to wish”, れば = conditional form<br>• まず (mazu) = “first” or “before anything else” (adverb)<br>• 馬 (uma) = “horse” (noun)<br>• を射よ (o iyo) = object marker を + imperative form of 射る (iru, “to shoot”)<br>The sentence uses a conditional clause followed by an imperative, creating a proverb-like cause–action structure.
日本語で読む
• 将 = 「将軍・指揮官」を表す名詞<br>• を = 目的語を示す助詞<br>• 射んと欲すれば = 「射ようと思うなら」という意味の古典的表現で、射ん（動詞「射る」の意志形）+ と（引用助詞）+ 欲す（「望む」の古典動詞）+ れば（仮定形）<br>• まず = 「まずは」「最初に」を表す副詞<br>• 馬 = 「馬」を表す名詞<br>• を射よ = 目的語を示す「を」+ 動詞「射る」の命令形<br>条件節の後に命令文を置くことで、原因と行動を結びつけたことわざ的構造になっています。
Trap for English Speakers
May be interpreted as only literal archery advice; it’s metaphorical about targeting the source of a problem.
日本語で読む
弓矢の話を文字通りの助言として受け取りがちだが、問題の核心を突く比喩。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
交渉を進めるなら決裁者の課題を押さえよう。将を射んと欲すればまず馬を射よ。
To move the deal forward, address the decision-maker’s pain points—Cut off the head of the snake.
Example 2Applied Example
ボスを倒すには先に支援モブを落とせ。将を射んと欲すればまず馬を射よ。
To beat the boss, take out the support mobs first—Cut off the head of the snake.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「将を射んと欲すればまず馬を射よ」 mean?