Proverb / Kotowaza
馬耳東風
To ignore opinions or criticism and let them pass without any effect.
an east wind in a horse's ear
Quick Answer
To ignore opinions or criticism and let them pass without any effect.
- Literal Image
- an east wind in a horse's ear
- How to Use It
- Used when describing someone who completely ignores advice or remains unaffected by criticism. It can also be used to describe the act of intentionally ignoring negative rumors or gossip to stay focused on one's own path.
Meaning
Describes a person who pays no attention to what others say, such as advice, warnings, or lectures. Just as a horse remains indifferent when a spring breeze (east wind) blows past its ears, the person is completely unmoved by the words directed at them.
Literal Image
an east wind in a horse's ear
How to Use It
Used when describing someone who completely ignores advice or remains unaffected by criticism. It can also be used to describe the act of intentionally ignoring negative rumors or gossip to stay focused on one's own path.
Tone
Carries a critical or negative nuance when describing someone's stubbornness, but can be neutral when advising someone to ignore baseless rumors.
Examples
いくら注意しても彼は馬耳東風で、全く反省する様子がない。
No matter how much I warn him, it is like an east wind in a horse's ear; he shows no sign of reflecting on his actions.
親の説教も彼にとっては馬耳東風だ。
His parents' lectures go in one ear and out the other for him.
世間の噂など馬耳東風と受け流して、自分の信じる道を進めばいい。
You should just let public rumors pass like the wind in a horse's ear and follow the path you believe in.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
As a four-character compound (yojijukugo) with literary roots, it requires specific study beyond basic vocabulary.
馬耳
ばじ / baji
horse's ear
東風
とうふう / toufuu
east wind (spring wind)
Usage Profile
Usage note: When directed at someone, it implies they are stubborn or unresponsive to good advice.
Misread Risk
It does not mean that the person didn't hear the words, but rather that they heard them and chose to ignore them or remained unmoved.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression originates from a poem by the Chinese poet Li Bai. It refers to the way a horse remains unaffected when a warm spring wind (the east wind) blows into its ear, illustrating a person's lack of reaction to the words of others.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
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.