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Advice: Japanese Quotes & Phrases

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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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「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.”

Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.”

Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「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.”

Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「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.

Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「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?"

Proverbs

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

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

Proverbs