Advice Phrases in Japanese – with English Translation

Voice sample: AI

花より団子

はなよりだんご (Hana yori dango)

Substance over style / Bread is better than the song of birds

Basic Example

花見の幹事なのに、彼は「花より団子」を地で行き、屋台のメニューばかり調べていた。

At the cherry‑blossom party, he literally lived by “dumplings over flowers,” obsessing over food stalls rather than petals.

Applied Example

「花より団子。きれいよりおいしい、これが俺の流儀だ。」

“Substance over style. Dumplings over flowers. That’s my way.”

Voice sample: AI

二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず

にとをおうものはいっとをもえず (Nito wo ou mono wa itto wo mo ezu)

Chase two rabbits, catch neither / You can't chase two hares at once

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Basic Example

仕事と副業の両方で結果を出そうとしたが、二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ずだった。

I tried to succeed at both my job and my side business, but chase two rabbits, catch neither.

Applied Example

「部活もアルバイトも全力？　二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ずだぞ。」

Going all out in both club and part-time work? You know you can't chase two hares at once.

Voice sample: AI

猿も木から落ちる

さるもきからおちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru)

Even Homer sometimes nods / Anyone can make a mistake

Humor Advice Caution

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Basic Example

あの有名な棋士でも負けることがある。猿も木から落ちるだ。

Even that famous chess master loses sometimes — even Homer sometimes nods.

Applied Example

無敗だったキャプテンが一瞬の油断で失点。猿も木から落ちる、その空気が会場を包んだ。

The undefeated captain let one point slip in a moment’s carelessness. Even Homer sometimes nods — the mood spread through the arena.

Voice sample: AI

塵も積もれば山となる

ちりもつもればやまとなる (Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru)

Many a little makes a mickle / Little by little, a little becomes a lot

Motivation Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

少しずつでも貯金すれば、塵も積もれば山となる。

If you save a little at a time, many a little makes a mickle.

Applied Example

「また100円貯金か？」「塵も積もれば山となるって言うだろ。」

Another hundred yen in the jar? "Many a little makes a mickle, right?"

Voice sample: AI

石の上にも三年

いしのうえにもさんねん (Ishi no ue nimo sannen)

Persistence prevails / Perseverance conquers all

Motivation Advice Determination Encouragement

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Basic Example

どんなに成果が出なくても、石の上にも三年だと思って続けるべきだ。

Even if results don't come quickly, you should keep going — persistence prevails.

Applied Example

3年間、誰より早く道場に来ては素振りを続けた。石の上にも三年、今日こそその成果を見せる時だ。

For three years, he came to the dojo earlier than anyone and kept swinging. Persistence prevails — today was the time to show it.