Japanese Proverb – English Translation & Meaning

Voice sample: AI

郷に入っては郷に従え

ごうにいってはごうにしたがえ (gō ni itte wa gō ni shitagae)

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

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Basic Example

赴任先のルールには従おう。郷に入っては郷に従え。

Let’s follow the local rules—When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Applied Example

砂漠の町では砂嵐装備が正解。郷に入っては郷に従え。

In the desert city, sandstorm gear is standard—When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Voice sample: AI

覆水盆に返らず

ふくすいぼんにかえらず (fukusui bon ni kaerazu)

What’s done is done

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Basic Example

メールを誤送信しちゃった…覆水盆に返らず。

I sent the email to the wrong list—What’s done is done.

Applied Example

レア素材を売っちゃった？覆水盆に返らずだ。

Sold the rare material by mistake—What’s done is done.

Voice sample: AI

蓼食う虫も好き好き

たでくうむしもすきずき (tade kū mushi mo sukizuki)

To each his own

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Basic Example

そのデザイン、賛否あるね。蓼食う虫も好き好き。

That design divides opinions—To each his own.

Applied Example

推しキャラの好みは人それぞれ。蓼食う虫も好き好き。

Everyone’s waifu picks are different—To each his own.

Voice sample: AI

月とすっぽん

つきとすっぽん (tsuki to suppon)

Like night and day

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Basic Example

その二社のサービスは月とすっぽん、比較にならない。

Those two services are Like night and day.

Applied Example

うちの木剣と伝説の聖剣、月とすっぽん。

My wooden sword versus the holy blade—Like night and day.

Voice sample: AI

後悔先に立たず

こうかいさきにたたず (kōkai saki ni tatazu)

No use crying over spilled milk

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Basic Example

バックアップを取らなかった？後悔先に立たずだよ。

You skipped the backup? No use crying over spilled milk.

Applied Example

セーブ忘れて全滅…後悔先に立たず。

Forgot to save and wiped—No use crying over spilled milk.

Voice sample: AI

腐っても鯛

くさってもたい (kusatte mo tai)

Good things retain their value

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Basic Example

古い機種でも十分戦える。腐っても鯛だ。

Even an older model still performs—Good things retain their value.

Applied Example

退役した名剣でも切れ味は別格。腐っても鯛。

That retired legendary blade still shines—Good things retain their value.

Voice sample: AI

住めば都

すめばみやこ (sumeba miyako)

Home is where you make it

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Basic Example

引っ越して不安だったけど、もう慣れた。住めば都だね。

I was nervous after moving, but now I’m settled—Home is where you make it.

Applied Example

冒険者ギルドの寮も慣れれば快適。住めば都。

Even the guild dorm feels cozy after a while—Home is where you make it.

Voice sample: AI

一寸先は闇

いっすんさきはやみ (issun saki wa yami)

The future is uncertain

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Basic Example

市況は一寸先は闇だ、慎重にいこう。

The market can turn quickly—The future is uncertain.

Applied Example

迷宮は一寸先は闇。松明を忘れるな。

In the labyrinth, anything can happen—The future is uncertain.

Voice sample: AI

釈迦に説法

しゃかにせっぽう (shaka ni seppō)

Preaching to the choir

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Basic Example

その分野で彼に基本を説明するなんて、釈迦に説法だよ。

Explaining basics to him in that field is Preaching to the choir.

Applied Example

伝説の錬金術師に調合の基礎を語るの？釈迦に説法だ。

Telling a legendary alchemist how to brew? Preaching to the choir.

Voice sample: AI

無い袖は振れぬ

ないそではふれぬ (nai sode wa furenu)

You can’t get blood from a stone

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Basic Example

追加予算は無理だよ。無い袖は振れぬ。

We can’t approve more funds—You can’t get blood from a stone.

Applied Example

ポーション切れだ、もう無茶はできない。無い袖は振れぬ。

Out of potions—don’t ask for miracles; You can’t get blood from a stone.