25 Japanese Proverbs That Will Change How You Think (Kotowaza)
Discover beautiful Japanese proverbs (kotowaza) with wisdom on life, success, and relationships. Each saying includes meaning, usage, and cultural context.
Japan has a treasure trove of ancient wisdom packed into short, powerful sayings called ことわざ (kotowaza). These proverbs have guided Japanese people for centuries – and their insights about life, work, and relationships are just as relevant today!
Whether you're learning Japanese or just seeking wisdom, these 25 proverbs will inspire you. 🌸
Wisdom About Effort & Success 💪
1. 七転び八起き (Nana korobi ya oki)
Meaning: Fall seven times, get up eight
Literal: Seven falls, eight risings
The ultimate motto of resilience! No matter how many times you fail, keep getting back up. Success isn't about never falling – it's about always rising.
Usage: 日本語は難しいけど、七転び八起きでがんばります！ (Japanese is hard, but I'll keep trying no matter how many times I fail!)
2. 継続は力なり (Keizoku wa chikara nari)
Meaning: Continuity is power / Persistence pays off
Literal: Continuation is strength
Small, consistent efforts beat intense bursts. This is Japan's philosophy on mastery – show up every day, even a little.
Usage: 毎日10分の練習でも、継続は力なりだよ。 (Even 10 minutes of practice daily – consistency is power.)
3. 塵も積もれば山となる (Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru)
Meaning: Even dust, if piled up, becomes a mountain
The Japanese version of "little drops make an ocean." Small efforts accumulate into huge results!
Usage: 毎日一つの漢字を覚えれば、塵も積もれば山となる。 (If you learn one kanji every day, even dust becomes a mountain.)
4. 猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru)
Meaning: Even monkeys fall from trees
Even experts make mistakes! This proverb reminds us that no one is perfect.
English equivalent: "Even Homer nods" or "Nobody's perfect"
Usage: え、先生も間違えた？猿も木から落ちるね！ (Even the teacher made a mistake? Even monkeys fall from trees!)
5. 失敗は成功のもと (Shippai wa seikou no moto)
Meaning: Failure is the mother of success
Failures aren't endings – they're stepping stones. Every mistake teaches you something valuable.
Usage: 試験に落ちたけど、失敗は成功のもとだから次は頑張る。 (I failed the exam, but failure is the foundation of success – I'll try harder next time.)
Wisdom About Patience & Time ⏳
6. 急がば回れ (Isogaba maware)
Meaning: If you hurry, go around (the long way)
Shortcuts often cause problems. Taking the longer, careful path saves time in the end.
English equivalent: "Haste makes waste"
Usage: 文法をスキップしたいけど、急がば回れだ。 (I want to skip grammar, but haste makes waste.)
7. 時は金なり (Toki wa kane nari)
Meaning: Time is money
Direct import from Benjamin Franklin! Use your time wisely.
8. 待てば海路の日和あり (Mateba kairo no hiyori ari)
Meaning: If you wait, there will be good weather for sailing
Patience brings opportunities. If conditions aren't right now, wait – better times will come.
9. 石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue nimo san nen)
Meaning: Three years on a stone (will make it warm)
Persistence and patience overcome any obstacle. Even a cold stone becomes warm if you sit on it long enough!
Usage: 日本語を諦めない。石の上にも三年だ。 (I won't give up on Japanese. Three years on a stone!)
10. 明日は明日の風が吹く (Ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku)
Meaning: Tomorrow, tomorrow's wind will blow
Don't worry too much about tomorrow – things have a way of working out. Live in the present.
Vibe: "Que sera sera" / "Cross that bridge when you come to it"
Wisdom About Relationships 🤝
11. 一期一会 (Ichi-go ichi-e)
Meaning: One time, one meeting
Every encounter is unique and will never happen the same way again. Treasure every meeting with people.
Origin: Tea ceremony philosophy
Usage: 美しい出会いだった。一期一会を大切にしたい。 (It was a beautiful meeting. I want to cherish each encounter.)
12. 親しき仲にも礼儀あり (Shitashiki naka nimo reigi ari)
Meaning: Even among close friends, there should be politeness
Familiarity shouldn't lead to disrespect. Keep courtesy even with those closest to you.
13. 十人十色 (Juu nin to iro)
Meaning: Ten people, ten colors
Everyone is different! What works for one person may not work for another. Diversity is natural.
Usage: 学習スタイルは十人十色だから、自分に合う方法を見つけて。 (Learning styles differ for everyone, so find what works for you.)
14. 類は友を呼ぶ (Rui wa tomo wo yobu)
Meaning: Like calls to like
We attract people similar to ourselves. Surround yourself with who you want to become!
English equivalent: "Birds of a feather flock together"
15. 情けは人のためならず (Nasake wa hito no tame narazu)
Meaning: Kindness is not for others' sake (alone)
Being kind to others ultimately benefits yourself. The good you do comes back to you.
Wisdom About Caution & Preparation 🛡️
16. 備えあれば憂いなし (Sonae areba urei nashi)
Meaning: If prepared, no worries
Preparation eliminates anxiety. Study thoroughly and you won't fear the test!
English equivalent: "Forewarned is forearmed"
17. 転ばぬ先の杖 (Korobanu saki no tsue)
Meaning: A cane before you fall
Take precautions BEFORE you need them. Prevention is better than cure.
English equivalent: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
18. 口は災いの元 (Kuchi wa wazawai no moto)
Meaning: The mouth is the source of disaster
Words cause trouble! Think before you speak.
English equivalent: "Loose lips sink ships"
19. 壁に耳あり障子に目あり (Kabe ni mimi ari shouji ni me ari)
Meaning: Walls have ears, paper doors have eyes
Someone is always listening! Be careful what you say – secrets get out.
20. 出る杭は打たれる (Deru kui wa utareru)
Meaning: The nail that sticks out gets hammered down
Standing out too much invites criticism in Japanese culture. This proverb explains the value placed on group harmony.
Cultural insight: This reflects ideas about conformity – but modern interpretations sometimes encourage BEING the nail that sticks out!
Wisdom About Knowledge & Learning 📚
21. 習うより慣れろ (Narau yori narero)
Meaning: Learn by doing, not by studying
Experience trumps theory! Practice is more valuable than endless study.
Usage: 文法ばかり勉強するより、話してみよう。習うより慣れろ！ (Instead of just studying grammar, try speaking. Learn by doing!)
22. 百聞は一見に如かず (Hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu)
Meaning: One look is worth a hundred hearings
Seeing is believing! A picture is worth a thousand words.
23. 知らぬが仏 (Shiranu ga hotoke)
Meaning: Not knowing is Buddha
Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Being unaware of trouble keeps you peaceful!
24. 井の中の蛙大海を知らず (I no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu)
Meaning: A frog in a well doesn't know the great ocean
Limited experience creates limited worldview. Get out of your comfort zone to truly understand the world!
Usage: 日本に住んでみたい。井の中の蛙大海を知らずにならないように。 (I want to live in Japan so I don't become a frog in a well.)
25. 能ある鷹は爪を隠す (Nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu)
Meaning: A capable hawk hides its talons
Truly skilled people don't need to show off. Real talent stays humble.
Quick Reference Chart 📋
| Proverb (Japanese) | Meaning | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 七転び八起き | Fall 7, rise 8 | Resilience |
| 継続は力なり | Persistence is power | Effort |
| 猿も木から落ちる | Even monkeys fall | Humility |
| 急がば回れ | Haste makes waste | Patience |
| 石の上にも三年 | 3 years on a stone | Persistence |
| 一期一会 | One time, one meeting | Presence |
| 十人十色 | 10 people, 10 colors | Diversity |
| 習うより慣れろ | Learn by doing | Practice |
| 百聞は一見に如かず | Seeing > hearing | Experience |
| 能ある鷹は爪を隠す | Hawks hide talons | Humility |
How to Use Proverbs
In Conversation
- 日本語って難しいね。「でも七転び八起きだよ！」
- (Japanese is hard. "But fall seven, rise eight!")
In Writing
- Proverbs add sophistication to essays and speeches
- Useful in formal contexts
For Motivation
- Write your favorite on a sticky note!
- Use as a mantra during study sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Japanese people actually use these?
YES! Proverbs are common in daily speech, news, and education. Using them correctly impresses native speakers!
Should I memorize all 25?
Start with 3-5 favorites. Quality over quantity! Use them until they feel natural.
Can I make up my own proverbs?
It's not common, but creative play with existing proverbs is appreciated!
Conclusion: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Life 🌸
These 25 proverbs have guided Japanese people for centuries – and their wisdom applies to language learning itself! Remember:
Key takeaways: ✅ 七転び八起き – Keep getting up no matter how many times you fall ✅ 継続は力なり – Consistency beats intensity ✅ 習うより慣れろ – Practice trumps theory ✅ 急がば回れ – Don't skip the fundamentals ✅ 一期一会 – Value every learning moment
Your next step: To read these proverbs, you need hiragana! Master hiragana with KanaDojo → and unlock the wisdom of Japanese culture!
七転び八起きで頑張ろう！ (Nana korobi ya oki de ganbarou!) Let's do our best with resilience!
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