Caution 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?

View detail →

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

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

View detail →

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.

Voice sample: AI

転ばぬ先の杖

ころばぬさきのつえ (Korobanu saki no tsue)

Better safe than sorry / Look before you leap

Seriousness Advice Caution

View detail →

Basic Example

資料は二部印刷、データはクラウドに保存。「転ばぬ先の杖」で会議は無事に終わった。

Two printed copies and a cloud backup—better safe than sorry, and the meeting went smoothly.

Applied Example

「替えのラケット、持ってきた？」転ばぬ先の杖、その一振りで流れが変わった。

“Did you bring a spare racket?” Better safe than sorry; that swing changed the momentum.

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

View detail →

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

View detail →

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.