Proverb / Kotowaza
一言以って之を蔽う
To summarize the entire essence or meaning of something in just one word or phrase.
Covering the whole with a single word
Quick Answer
To summarize the entire essence or meaning of something in just one word or phrase.
- Literal Image
- Covering the whole with a single word
- How to Use It
- Can be used when a speaker or writer is about to provide a concise summary or identify the single most important characteristic of a topic.
Meaning
This expression refers to capturing the core nature of a complex subject, situation, or person's life using very few words. It can also refer to the specific word or phrase that serves as that defining summary.
Literal Image
Covering the whole with a single word
How to Use It
Can be used when a speaker or writer is about to provide a concise summary or identify the single most important characteristic of a topic.
Tone
Formal and literary. It is found in speeches, formal essays, or critical reviews.
Examples
彼の人生を一言以って之を蔽えば、「挑戦」の二文字に尽きる。
If I were to summarize his life in one word, it would come down to the two characters for 'challenge'.
今回のプロジェクトの成功要因を一言以って之を蔽えば、チームワークだ。
If we were to sum up the reason for this project's success in a single phrase, it would be teamwork.
この小説の魅力を一言以って之を蔽えば、人間の弱さへの優しい眼差しだろう。
To encapsulate the charm of this novel in one sentence, it is the gentle gaze directed toward human weakness.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The phrase uses classical grammatical structures like 'motte' and 'oou' (derived from classical 'oou'), and the vocabulary is formal/literary.
一言
いちごん / ichigon
one word; a single word
以って
もって / motte
by means of; with
之
これ / kore
this; it
蔽う
おおう / oou
to cover; to summarize/encompass
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a very formal expression and might sound overly stiff in casual conversation.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse 'ichigon' (one word) with 'hitokoto', though they share the same kanji; 'ichigon' is the preferred reading in this specific literary proverb.
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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.