Advice Phrases in Japanese – with English Translation

Voice sample: AI

そんな装備で大丈夫か？

そんなそうびでだいじょうぶか？ (sonna soubi de daijoubu ka?)

Are you sure you’re okay with that equipment?

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Basic Example

友達が軽装で山登りに来たとき、「そんな装備で大丈夫か？」と声をかける。

When a friend shows up for hiking in just a T-shirt, I ask, “Are you sure you’re okay with that equipment?”

Applied Example

オンライン会議で同僚が資料を全く準備していないのを見て、「そんな準備で大丈夫か？」

In an online meeting, seeing a coworker totally unprepared: “Are you sure you’re okay with that preparation?”

Voice sample: AI

足なんて飾りです。偉い人にはそれがわからんのですよ。

あしなんてかざりです。えらいひとにはそれがわからんのですよ。 (Ashi nante kazari desu. Erai hito ni wa sore ga wakaran no desu yo.)

Legs are just for show. Important people don’t understand that.

Mobile Suit Gundam (機動戦士ガンダム) Engineer of Mobile Suit Development Contempt Advice

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Applied Example

営業現場での不便を訴えても、上は資料の見た目ばかり気にしていて、同僚が皮肉を込めて言った。「資料なんて飾りです。偉い人にはそれがわからんのですよ。」

Even after voicing real struggles at the sales frontline, the higher-ups only care about presentation. A coworker mutters sarcastically: “Reports are just for show. The bigwigs don’t understand.”

Voice sample: AI

鉄は熱いうちに打て

てつはあついうちにうて (Tetsu wa atsui uchi ni ute)

Strike while the iron is hot

Excitement Motivation Advice

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Basic Example

思いついたアイデアは、鉄は熱いうちに打てで形にした方がいい。

If you have an idea, strike while the iron is hot and put it into action.

Applied Example

「今やらなきゃ後悔するぞ。鉄は熱いうちに打てだ。」

If you don’t do it now, you’ll regret it. Strike while the iron is hot.

Voice sample: AI

習うより慣れよ

ならうよりなれよ (Narau yori nare yo)

Practice makes perfect / Experience is the best teacher

Motivation Advice

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Basic Example

外国語は、習うより慣れよで毎日使うのが上達の近道だ。

When learning a foreign language, practice every day — experience is the best teacher.

Applied Example

「聞くだけじゃなく話せ。習うより慣れよだ。」

Don’t just listen, speak. Experience is the best teacher.

Voice sample: AI

百里の道も九十九里をもって半ばとす

ひゃくりのみちもくじゅうくりをもってなかばとす (Hyakuri no michi mo kujūkyūri wo motte nakaba to su)

The last mile is the hardest

Seriousness Advice

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Basic Example

最後の仕上げこそ大事。百里の道も九十九里をもって半ばとす。

The last stretch is the most important — the last mile is the hardest.

Applied Example

ゴール目前で油断し、逆転された。百里の道も九十九里をもって半ばとすだ。

He let his guard down just before the finish line and was overtaken — the last mile is the hardest.

Voice sample: AI

学問に王道なし

がくもんにおうどうなし (Gakumon ni ōdō nashi)

There is no royal road to learning

Seriousness Advice

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Basic Example

試験勉強は地道な暗記と理解の繰り返し。学問に王道なしだ。

Studying for the exam meant steady repetition and understanding — there is no royal road to learning.

Applied Example

「近道はないぞ。学問に王道なしだ。」

There’s no shortcut. There is no royal road to learning.

Voice sample: AI

待てば海路の日和あり

まてばかいろのひよりあり (Mateba kairo no hiyori ari)

All things come to those who wait / Good things come to those who wait

Calm Hope Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

苦しい時期も、待てば海路の日和ありと信じて耐えた。

He endured the hard times, trusting that all things come to those who wait.

Applied Example

嵐が去り、海が静かになる。待てば海路の日和あり、船は再び進み出した。

The storm passed and the sea calmed. Good sailing weather comes to those who wait, and the ship moved again.

Voice sample: AI

案ずるより産むが易し

あんずるよりうむがやすし (Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi)

It's easier done than said / It's easier to do than to worry

Calm Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

新しいプロジェクトも、案ずるより産むが易しで意外と順調に進んだ。

Starting a new project turned out smoother than expected — it’s easier done than said.

Applied Example

「やってみたら案ずるより産むが易しだったな。」

Once we tried it, it was easier done than said.

Voice sample: AI

千里の道も一歩から

せんりのみちもいっぽから (Senri no michi mo ippo kara)

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Hope Motivation Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

どんな大きな目標も、千里の道も一歩からだと自分に言い聞かせて走り始めた。

Even the longest journey begins with a single step — he reminded himself as he started running.

Applied Example

新入部員が初めてラケットを握る。千里の道も一歩から、その一振りが未来を作る。

A rookie picked up a racket for the first time. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single swing.

Voice sample: AI

出る杭は打たれる

でるくいはうたれる (Deru kui wa utareru)

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down

Other Advice Caution

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Basic Example

チームで目立ちすぎると、出る杭は打たれることもある。

Standing out too much in a team can sometimes lead to pushback — the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

Applied Example

「お前、活躍しすぎだって言われてるぞ。出る杭は打たれるんだよ。」

They say you’re doing too well. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.