Proverb / Kotowaza
案ずるより産むが易し
Attempting something is easier than the anxiety felt beforehand.
Giving birth is easier than worrying about it
Quick Answer
Attempting something is easier than the anxiety felt beforehand.
- Literal Image
- Giving birth is easier than worrying about it
- Closest Equivalent
- It is easier to do something than worry about it
- How to Use It
- Used to encourage someone who is hesitating due to fear of failure, or to reflect on a situation that turned out to be much simpler than anticipated.
Meaning
Even if you are worried about a difficult task or a new challenge, you will likely find that it goes more smoothly than expected once you actually start. The anxiety and fear felt before taking action are far greater than the actual difficulty of the task itself.
Literal Image
Giving birth is easier than worrying about it
Equivalent Proverbs
It is easier to do something than worry about it
A direct English equivalent describing the relief of action over worry.
Fear is often greater than the danger
Focuses on the psychological aspect of fear versus reality.
How to Use It
Used to encourage someone who is hesitating due to fear of failure, or to reflect on a situation that turned out to be much simpler than anticipated.
Tone
Encouraging and reassuring.
Examples
初めての海外一人旅に不安を感じていたが、いざ行ってみると現地の人々は親切で、トラブルもなく楽しめた。「案ずるより産むが易し」とはこのことだ。
I was worried about my first solo trip abroad, but once I actually went, the local people were kind and I enjoyed it without any trouble. It was truly a case of 'giving birth is easier than worrying about it'.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Features the literary verb 'anzuru' and the classical 'yasushi' ending, though the core vocabulary and message are accessible.
案ずる
あんずる / anzuru
to worry; to think over
産む
うむ / umu
to give birth
易し
やすし / yasushi
easy (classical form)
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
The proverb focuses on the psychological relief after taking action, rather than advising against necessary preparation or caution.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from the experience of women awaiting childbirth. While they worry deeply about the pain and safety of delivery, the actual process concludes more smoothly and easily than they had feared. This observation evolved into a general lesson that things we dread doing are unexpectedly simple once we begin.
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Source Note
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