Proverb / Kotowaza
悪事千里を行く
Bad deeds and negative reputations spread rapidly over great distances.
Bad deeds travel a thousand ri.
Quick Answer
Bad deeds and negative reputations spread rapidly over great distances.
- Literal Image
- Bad deeds travel a thousand ri.
- Closest Equivalent
- Bad news travels fast.
- How to Use It
- Used when describing how a scandal, mistake, or bad behavior is quickly discovered or spread as gossip.
Meaning
Negative actions or rumors tend to be shared much faster and further than good ones. This proverb serves as a reminder that misdeeds are difficult to hide and will quickly reach the ears of many people.
Literal Image
Bad deeds travel a thousand ri.
Equivalent Proverbs
Bad news travels fast.
A very close equivalent focusing on the speed of negative information.
How to Use It
Used when describing how a scandal, mistake, or bad behavior is quickly discovered or spread as gossip.
Tone
This is a cautionary expression used to warn someone that their actions will be known by others.
Examples
不祥事はすぐにSNSで拡散された。悪事千里を行くとはこのことだ。
The scandal was instantly shared on social media. It is a perfect example of how bad news travels fast.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses the classical distance unit 'senri' and the noun 'akuji' (bad deed). While the grammar is straightforward, the idiomatic use of 'iku' (to go) to describe the spread of reputation is a specific pattern to learn.
悪事
あくじ / akuji
bad deed; evil act
千里
せんり / senri
a thousand ri (a great distance)
行く
いく / iku
to go; to travel
Usage Profile
Usage note: Can sound judgmental if used directly about someone's personal failure in their presence.
Misread Risk
Do not take 'senri' as a literal measurement of distance; it simply symbolizes an immense reach that news can have.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression originates from a passage in the classical Chinese work 'Beimeng Suoyan' (北夢瑣言). The original text states: 'Good deeds do not leave the gate; bad deeds travel a thousand ri.' This contrast emphasizes that while positive actions go unnoticed, negative news reaches distant places with ease.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.