Proverb / Kotowaza
芸は身を助ける
Acquired skills and knowledge can provide support for one's livelihood in times of need.
Arts help the body
Quick Answer
Acquired skills and knowledge can provide support for one's livelihood in times of need.
- Literal Image
- Arts help the body
- How to Use It
- Used to explain how learning practical skills or specialized hobbies can provide security or career opportunities later in life.
Meaning
A person's acquired skills, arts, or specialized knowledge can serve as a means of survival or support during difficult times. By cultivating unique talents or expertise, one ensures a way to make a living even when circumstances change.
Literal Image
Arts help the body
How to Use It
Used to explain how learning practical skills or specialized hobbies can provide security or career opportunities later in life.
Tone
Encouraging and practical
Examples
若い頃に身につけたプログラミングの芸は身を助けて、転職もうまくいった。
The programming skills I acquired when I was young helped me out, and my career change went well.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses standard intermediate vocabulary like 'gei', 'mi', and 'tasukeru' in a straightforward grammatical structure.
芸
げい / gei
art; craft; performance; skill
身
み / mi
body; oneself; one's life
助ける
たすける / tasukeru
to help; to save; to assist
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
The 'gei' (art/skill) here is not limited to traditional arts; it applies to any specialized technical or professional skill.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This proverb stems from the historical reality that artisans (shokunin) and performers (geinin) earned their livelihood through their specific techniques and crafts. It reflects the lesson that possessing a specialized skill allows one to survive regardless of the circumstances.
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.