Proverb / Kotowaza
花に嵐
Good things are prone to being interrupted by obstacles.
Storms for the flowers
Quick Answer
Good things are prone to being interrupted by obstacles.
- Literal Image
- Storms for the flowers
- Closest Equivalent
- Every rose has its thorn.
- How to Use It
- Used when a positive event or plan is ruined by an unforeseen problem.
Meaning
This expression describes how desirable situations or beautiful things are easily disrupted by unexpected trouble. It suggests that happiness and beauty are short-lived and subject to interference from external forces.
Literal Image
Storms for the flowers
Equivalent Proverbs
Every rose has its thorn.
Both suggest that good things have negative aspects or obstacles.
How to Use It
Used when a positive event or plan is ruined by an unforeseen problem.
Tone
Neutral; carries a sense of resignation regarding the fragility of good fortune.
Examples
せっかく旅行を計画したのに台風が来るとは、まさに花に嵐だ。
A typhoon hitting right after I finally planned a trip is exactly like a storm for the flowers.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The kanji and vocabulary are basic, but the metaphorical usage of the particle 'ni' to indicate a state of being befallen by something else is idiomatic.
花
はな / hana
flower
嵐
あらし / arashi
storm
Usage Profile
Usage note: It may sound overly pessimistic if used when someone is celebrating a success.
Misread Risk
Do not use it to describe actual weather conditions unless you are using the literal situation as a metaphor for a ruined plan.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from the natural phenomenon of a sudden storm arriving and scattering beautiful flowers that are in full bloom. It illustrates the worldly truth that obstacles inevitably appear when things are going well.
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.