Proverb / Kotowaza
大事は小事より起こる
Great events or major problems originate from minor causes.
Big matters arise from small matters
Quick Answer
Great events or major problems originate from minor causes.
- Literal Image
- Big matters arise from small matters
- Closest Equivalent
- Great oaks from little acorns grow
- How to Use It
- Used to warn someone that neglecting minor details can lead to a disaster, or to explain how a large situation was triggered by a small mistake.
Meaning
Major incidents and serious problems stem from small, seemingly insignificant details or minor oversights. This proverb teaches the importance of not underestimating small things, as neglecting them can lead to significant consequences.
Literal Image
Big matters arise from small matters
Equivalent Proverbs
Great oaks from little acorns grow
Similar idea of scale, though the English proverb is more positive.
Little things have great consequences
Directly matches the lesson of small causes leading to large effects.
How to Use It
Used to warn someone that neglecting minor details can lead to a disaster, or to explain how a large situation was triggered by a small mistake.
Tone
Instructive and cautionary.
Examples
会社の大トラブルも最初は連絡ミスがきっかけだった。大事は小事より起こるというから、些細なことでも丁寧に対処すべきだ。
Even the major trouble at the company started with a simple communication error. They say big matters arise from small ones, so we should handle even trivial things with care.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic kanji, but the reading of 'shouji' and the use of 'yori' as a starting point marker require intermediate grammar knowledge.
大事
だいじ / daiji
major matter; serious incident
小事
しょうじ / shouji
minor matter; triviality
起こる
おこる / okoru
to occur; to arise
Usage Profile
Usage note: Ensure it is used to emphasize prevention rather than just blaming small things after a failure.
Misread Risk
Do not assume this only applies to negative disasters; it describes the general principle of small causes leading to large results.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This proverb is based on the lesson that small instances of negligence or minor mistakes can accumulate and lead to significant issues. It reflects a traditional Japanese perspective that seeks the roots of large phenomena in small details.
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.