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Encouragement: Japanese Quotes & Phrases

Results: 21–26 of 26

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鬼に金棒

おににかなぼう (Oni ni kanabou)

Adding fuel to the fire / To make a strong person even stronger

Example 1Basic Example

  1. エースが復帰した途端、守備も攻撃も噛み合って「鬼に金棒」になった。

    With the ace back, the team became even stronger—adding fuel to the fire.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 「新装備、解禁。」彼女がグラブをはめ直すと、チームは鬼に金棒の強さを手に入れた。

    “New gear, unlocked.” She tightened her glove and the team looked stronger than ever, like giving an ogre a metal club.

Proverbs

雨降って地固まる

あめふってじかたまる (Ame futte ji katamaru)

After a storm comes a calm / Adversity builds character

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 衝突の多い新チームだったが、合宿後は「雨降って地固まる」で結束が強くなった。

    They clashed at first, but after camp their bond was stronger—after a storm comes a calm

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 激しい口論のあと、二人は同じ傘に入った。雨降って地固まる、距離はむしろ縮まった。

    After a fierce argument, they shared one umbrella; adversity builds character, and they grew closer.

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

七転び八起き

ななころびやおき (Nana korobi ya oki)

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again / Fall down seven times, get up eight

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 何度失敗しても、七転び八起きでまた立ち上がる。

    No matter how many times you fail, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 投げられても立ち上がり、また向かっていく。七転び八起き、その執念が試合を変えた。

    Thrown to the mat, she stood up again and faced her opponent. Fall down seven times, get up eight — that persistence changed the match.

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