Proverb / Kotowaza
浅き川も深く渡れ
Treat even minor or easy tasks with the same level of caution and attention as difficult ones.
Cross even a shallow river as if it were deep
Quick Answer
Treat even minor or easy tasks with the same level of caution and attention as difficult ones.
- Literal Image
- Cross even a shallow river as if it were deep
- How to Use It
- Use this when advising someone to stay focused on routine tasks or to warn against the dangers of underestimating a situation that seems easy.
Meaning
Even if a river appears shallow, you should cross it with the same care you would use for a deep river. It serves as a lesson that one should never be overconfident or careless, even when dealing with simple or familiar matters, as underestimating a situation can lead to failure.
Literal Image
Cross even a shallow river as if it were deep
How to Use It
Use this when advising someone to stay focused on routine tasks or to warn against the dangers of underestimating a situation that seems easy.
Tone
This proverb is cautionary and instructive, can be used to advise prudence.
Examples
慣れた仕事でも気を抜かないようにしている。「浅き川も深く渡れ」という言葉を常に心がけているからだ
I make an effort not to lose focus even on familiar tasks. This is because I always keep the saying 'cross even a shallow river as if it were deep' in mind.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The use of the classical adjective ending 'ki' and the imperative 'watare' makes the grammar more advanced than standard conversational Japanese.
浅き
あさき / asaki
shallow (classical form)
川
かわ / kawa
river
深く
ふかく / fukaku
deeply
渡れ
わたれ / watare
cross (imperative)
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a serious piece of advice; using it for trivial jokes might diminish its impact.
Misread Risk
Do not interpret this only as a literal instruction for river crossing; it is a metaphor for any task or situation that might invite carelessness.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This proverb emphasizes the importance of caution based on the fact that people can sometimes be swept away by underestimating shallow rivers. It teaches that one should never let their guard down, no matter how simple a task appears.
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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.