Proverb / Kotowaza
当たって砕けろ
Take a bold leap and try your best, even if failure is a possibility.
collide and be shattered
Quick Answer
Take a bold leap and try your best, even if failure is a possibility.
- Literal Image
- collide and be shattered
- Closest Equivalent
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained
- How to Use It
- Used to encourage someone (including yourself) when facing a difficult challenge or a situation where the outcome is uncertain, such as a romantic confession or a high-stakes project.
Meaning
This expression encourages someone to take action without worrying about whether they will succeed or fail. It suggests that the act of challenging oneself is more valuable than playing it safe, even if the result is failure.
Literal Image
collide and be shattered
Equivalent Proverbs
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Both emphasize the necessity of taking risks to achieve something.
How to Use It
Used to encourage someone (including yourself) when facing a difficult challenge or a situation where the outcome is uncertain, such as a romantic confession or a high-stakes project.
Tone
An encouraging and bold expression, can be used in informal or supportive contexts.
Examples
彼は「当たって砕けろ」の精神で、難しいプロジェクトに挑戦した。
He took on the difficult project with a "go for it and break" spirit.
当たって砕けろ」という気持ちで、ダメ元で告白してみたら、意外にもOKをもらえた。
I decided to go for it and confessed my feelings even though I didn't expect a yes, and surprisingly, they said OK.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The phrase uses the te-form and the imperative form of verbs, though the usage is idiomatic.
当たる
あたる / ataru
to strike; to hit; to collide
砕ける
くだける / kudakeru
to break; to be smashed; to shatter
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
Do not take 'break' or 'shatter' literally; the proverb focuses on the spirit of the attempt, not literal destruction.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The specific origin of this phrase is not certain. However, it has been used since ancient times to emphasize the importance of challenging oneself without fearing failure.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
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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.