Proverb / Kotowaza
葦をふくむ雁
Taking precautions and preparing for danger in advance.
A wild goose carrying a reed in its beak
Quick Answer
Taking precautions and preparing for danger in advance.
- Literal Image
- A wild goose carrying a reed in its beak
- Closest Equivalent
- Forewarned is forearmed.
- How to Use It
- Used to describe the act of preparing meticulously for a future event or potential crisis, such as checking materials before a presentation or packing carefully for a trip to handle unexpected issues.
Meaning
This expression comes from a story of wild geese carrying reed stalks in their beaks to protect themselves from hunters' arrows. It describes the wisdom of making thorough preparations or taking measures beforehand to avoid potential trouble or disaster. It emphasizes the importance of foresight and being ready for any situation.
Literal Image
A wild goose carrying a reed in its beak
Equivalent Proverbs
Forewarned is forearmed.
Both emphasize preparation based on prior knowledge or foresight.
How to Use It
Used to describe the act of preparing meticulously for a future event or potential crisis, such as checking materials before a presentation or packing carefully for a trip to handle unexpected issues.
Tone
Neutral and instructive, showing admiration for foresight and thoroughness.
Examples
プレゼンの前日に念入りに資料を確認したのは、葦をふくむ雁の心がけだ。
Checking the materials thoroughly the day before the presentation was an act of the goose carrying a reed.
旅行の準備を万全に整えておくのは、葦をふくむ雁というように、何が起きても対応できるようにするためだ。
Making perfect preparations for the trip is, as the saying 'the goose carrying a reed' goes, to ensure one can handle whatever might happen.
危機管理の専門家は、平時から備えることを説く。まさに葦をふくむ雁の精神だ。
Crisis management experts preach the importance of being prepared during normal times. This is truly the spirit of the goose carrying a reed.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses specific kanji for flora and fauna (reed and wild goose) and refers to a literary anecdote, though the grammatical structure is simple.
葦
あし / ashi
reed
ふくむ
ふくむ / fukumu
to hold in the mouth
雁
かり / kari
wild goose
Usage Profile
Usage note: The tone is positive regarding preparedness, so do not use it to mock someone's excessive worry.
Misread Risk
Do not interpret this as a literal statement about bird behavior; it is a symbolic metaphor for human foresight.
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Origin
Wild geese (gan) are migratory birds that were historically targeted by hunters with arrows. According to a Chinese anecdote, these geese would fly while carrying reed stalks in their beaks. It was believed that the reed would absorb the impact of an arrow, allowing the bird to escape with its life. While birds do not actually behave this way, the story is used to symbolically represent the importance of preparing beforehand.
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