Proverb / Kotowaza
膝とも談合
When facing a problem, seek advice from others instead of worrying about it alone.
Consult even with your own knees
Quick Answer
When facing a problem, seek advice from others instead of worrying about it alone.
- Literal Image
- Consult even with your own knees
- Closest Equivalent
- Two heads are better than one
- How to Use It
- Used to encourage someone to share their worries with others or to suggest that getting a second opinion is always valuable.
Meaning
This proverb teaches the importance of consulting with others when you are troubled. It suggests that even something as close and simple as your own knees can serve as a partner for discussion, emphasizing that any consultation is better than struggling in isolation.
Literal Image
Consult even with your own knees
Equivalent Proverbs
Two heads are better than one
Both emphasize the benefit of not working alone, though the Japanese version uses the image of one's knees as a minimal partner.
How to Use It
Used to encourage someone to share their worries with others or to suggest that getting a second opinion is always valuable.
Tone
Encouraging and advisory.
Examples
迷ったら膝とも談合という。まずは誰かに話を聞いてもらおう。
They say 'consult even your knees' when you are lost. First, let's have someone listen to your situation.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While 'hiza' (knee) is basic vocabulary, the term 'dango' (consultation) and the idiomatic 'to mo' structure are less transparent for beginners.
膝
ひざ / hiza
knee
談合
だんごう / dango
consultation, conference
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
In modern contexts, 'dango' can refer to bid-rigging in business, but in this proverb, it retains its original meaning of simple consultation.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The word 'dango' (談合) in this context means to consult or discuss. The proverb expresses the idea that rather than worrying about a problem by yourself, it is important to talk to someone. It uses the metaphor that even one's own knees can be a partner for consultation to show that any kind of outside perspective is helpful.
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