Proverb / Kotowaza
犬は三日飼えば三年恩を忘れぬ
Even a brief act of kindness is remembered for a very long time.
If you keep a dog for three days, it will not forget your kindness for three years.
Quick Answer
Even a brief act of kindness is remembered for a very long time.
- Literal Image
- If you keep a dog for three days, it will not forget your kindness for three years.
- Closest Equivalent
- A dog remembers a kind deed for three years.
- How to Use It
- Used to emphasize the value of loyalty or to remind someone to be grateful for the help they have received from others.
Meaning
If a dog is cared for by a human for just three days, it will remain loyal and remember that favor for three years. This proverb teaches that humans should be even more mindful of repaying kindness and maintaining loyalty than animals are.
Literal Image
If you keep a dog for three days, it will not forget your kindness for three years.
Equivalent Proverbs
A dog remembers a kind deed for three years.
A direct translation can be cited as the English equivalent.
How to Use It
Used to emphasize the value of loyalty or to remind someone to be grateful for the help they have received from others.
Tone
Moralizing and instructive.
Examples
犬は三日飼えば三年恩を忘れぬというが、人間もこのような義理と人情を大切にしなければならない。
They say that if you keep a dog for three days, it won't forget your kindness for three years; humans must also cherish such duty and compassion.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary for numbers and 'dog' is basic, but the classical negative suffix '-nu' and the abstract concept of 'on' (indebtedness) are less transparent for beginners.
三日
みっか / mikka
three days
飼う
かう / kau
to keep (a pet); to raise an animal
三年
さんねん / sannen
three years
恩
おん / on
favor; kindness; debt of gratitude
忘れぬ
わすれぬ / wasurenu
will not forget (classical negative form)
Usage Profile
Usage note: When used toward a person, it may sound like a stern lecture on moral duty.
Misread Risk
Do not interpret 'three days' and 'three years' as literal timeframes; they are used to contrast a very short period of help with a very long duration of memory.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This proverb is based on the observed deep loyalty of dogs toward humans. By comparing a human's social obligations to the natural faithfulness of a dog, it highlights that remembering favors is a fundamental virtue.
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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.