Japanese Proverb – English Translation & Meaning

Voice sample: AI

風前の灯

ふうぜんのともしび (fūzen no tomoshibi)

A candle in the wind

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Basic Example

今にも消えそうな状態は、まさに風前の灯だ。

A situation on the brink of collapse is like a candle in the wind.

Applied Example

逆転負け寸前のチームは風前の灯だ。

The team about to lose in the final seconds is a candle in the wind.

Voice sample: AI

船頭多くして船山に登る

せんどうおおくしてふねやまにのぼる (sendō ōku shite funeyama ni noboru)

Too many cooks spoil the broth

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Basic Example

指示役が多すぎると、船頭多くして船山に登るだ。

Too many leaders cause confusion—too many cooks spoil the broth.

Applied Example

監督とコーチとキャプテンが同時に指示…船頭多くして船山に登るだな。

Coach, assistant, and captain all shouting orders—too many cooks spoil the broth.

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

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

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

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

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.

Voice sample: AI

石橋を叩いて渡る

いしばしをたたいてわたる (ishibashi o tataite wataru)

Better safe than sorry

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Basic Example

慎重すぎるくらい確認するのは、石橋を叩いて渡るだ。

Checking thoroughly before acting is better safe than sorry.

Applied Example

相手のフォーメーションを何度も研究、石橋を叩いて渡る作戦だ。

Studying the opponent’s formation over and over—better safe than sorry.

Voice sample: AI

取らぬ狸の皮算用

とらぬたぬきのかわざんよう (toranu tanuki no kawazanyō)

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

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Basic Example

確定していない利益をあてにするのは、取らぬ狸の皮算用だ。

Counting on profit before it’s certain is like not counting your chickens before they hatch.

Applied Example

まだ試合に勝ってもいないのに優勝旅行計画…取らぬ狸の皮算用だ。

Planning a victory trip before the match is won—don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Voice sample: AI

雨後の筍

うごのたけのこ (ugo no takenoko)

To mushroom overnight

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Basic Example

新しい店が雨後の筍のように増えている。

New stores are appearing like mushrooms overnight.

Applied Example

街中にカフェが雨後の筍みたいにできてる。

Cafes are popping up around town like mushrooms overnight.