Proverb / Kotowaza
頭の上の蠅を追え
Attend to your own affairs before interfering in the business of others.
Drive away the fly on your own head.
Quick Answer
Attend to your own affairs before interfering in the business of others.
- Literal Image
- Drive away the fly on your own head.
- Closest Equivalent
- Sweep before your own door.
- How to Use It
- Used to tell someone to focus on their own issues instead of worrying about or interfering with others.
Meaning
This proverb emphasizes that one should handle their own problems and responsibilities before criticizing or meddling in other people's lives. It suggests that it is inappropriate to offer advice or help when your own situation is still in disarray.
Literal Image
Drive away the fly on your own head.
Equivalent Proverbs
Sweep before your own door.
Similar lesson about cleaning up your own life before looking at others.
How to Use It
Used to tell someone to focus on their own issues instead of worrying about or interfering with others.
Tone
Used as a sharp rebuke or cautionary advice.
Examples
人の心配をする前に、まず自分の頭の上の蠅を追えと言いたい。
Before worrying about others, I want to tell you to first drive away the fly on your own head.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic kanji like 'head' and 'top', but 'fly' (蠅) and the imperative form 'oe' (追え) are less transparent for beginners vocabulary.
頭
あたま / atama
head
上
うえ / ue
top / above
蠅
はえ / hae
fly (insect)
追え
おえ / oe
drive away / shoo (imperative form of 追う)
Usage Profile
Usage note: This can sound quite blunt or confrontational if said directly to someone.
Misread Risk
It is not literally about insects; it is a metaphor for personal problems or shortcomings.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression comes from the idea that it is inappropriate or out of place to try and take care of others when one is unable to even drive away the flies swarming around their own head.
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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.