Proverb / Kotowaza
一年の計は元旦にあり
The plans for the entire year should be made on New Year's Day.
The plan for the year lies on New Year's Day
Quick Answer
The plans for the entire year should be made on New Year's Day.
- Literal Image
- The plan for the year lies on New Year's Day
- Closest Equivalent
- New year’s day is the key of the year
- How to Use It
- Used during the New Year period when discussing resolutions or encouraging someone to start their year with a clear set of objectives.
Meaning
This proverb emphasizes that success for the year depends on setting clear goals and making a plan right at the start. It teaches the importance of early preparation and planning for any endeavor to ensure things proceed smoothly.
Literal Image
The plan for the year lies on New Year's Day
Equivalent Proverbs
New year’s day is the key of the year
Reflects the same focus on New Year's Day as the foundation for the upcoming year.
How to Use It
Used during the New Year period when discussing resolutions or encouraging someone to start their year with a clear set of objectives.
Tone
Encouraging and practical, focusing on the importance of foresight and preparation.
Examples
一年の計は元旦にありと言うから、正月のうちに今年の目標を決めておこう。
Since it is said that the plan for the year is made on New Year's Day, let's decide on our goals for this year during the New Year holidays.
一年の計は元旦にありで、年初に立てた計画通りに物事が進んでいる。
Following the principle that the plan for the year is made on New Year's Day, everything is progressing according to the plan I made at the start of the year.
一年の計は元旦にありというが、計画を立てるだけでなく実行することが大事だ。
They say the plan for the year is made on New Year's Day, but it is important to not just make a plan, but to actually carry it out.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses formal vocabulary like 'kei' for planning and 'ganjitsu' for New Year's Day, though the 'wa... ni ari' structure is a clear grammatical pattern.
一年の計
いちねんのけい / ichinen no kei
plan for the year
元旦
がんじつ / ganjitsu
New Year's Day
Usage Profile
Usage note: Focus on the planning aspect rather than using it to suggest that missing New Year's Day ruins the whole year.
Misread Risk
Do not interpret this as a strict rule that one can only start things on January 1st; it is a broader lesson about the importance of starting any project with a plan.
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