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風前の灯

ふうぜんのともしび (fūzen no tomoshibi)

A candle in the wind

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs

雨後の筍

うごのたけのこ (ugo no takenoko)

To mushroom overnight

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

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Proverbs