Advice Phrases in Japanese – with English Translation

Voice sample: AI

灯台下暗し

とうだいもとくらし (Toudai moto kurashi)

It's darkest under the lamp post / We often overlook what's right under our noses

Confusion Advice

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Basic Example

鍵が見つからず大騒ぎしたが、結局は玄関の棚にあった。まさに「灯台下暗し」。

We turned the place upside down for the key, only to find it on the entry shelf—it's darkest under the lamp post.

Applied Example

「部室の旗？灯台下暗し。お前のリュックの背面ポケットに刺さってるぞ。」

“The club banner? It’s right under your nose. Check the back pocket of your backpack.”

Voice sample: AI

三人寄れば文殊の知恵

さんにんよればもんじゅのちえ (Sannin yoreba Monju no chie)

Two (or three) heads are better than one

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Basic Example

行き詰まった企画も、三部署でブレストしたら「三人寄れば文殊の知恵」で突破口が見えた。

When three departments brainstormed, two or three heads were better than one and the plan finally moved.

Applied Example

ベンチに戻ると、捕手とコーチが加わる。三人寄れば文殊の知恵で、次の回は三者凡退に抑えた。

Back on the bench, the catcher and coach joined in; two heads are better than one, and the next inning was three up, three down.

Voice sample: AI

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず

こけつにいらずんばこじをえず (Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu)

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Motivation Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず　彼女は迷わず難関資格に挑んだ。まさに「虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず」だ。

She went for the toughest certification without hesitation—nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Applied Example

全国大会の出場枠は一つだけ。「虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず」と言い切って、彼は最難関の技に挑んだ。

In a tournament with only one national slot, he chose the hardest move, saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

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

Humor Advice

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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

Seriousness Advice Caution

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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.