Proverb / Kotowaza
煎り豆に花
Refers to an impossible event occurring or to someone past their prime achieving success again.
flowers blooming on roasted beans
Quick Answer
Refers to an impossible event occurring or to someone past their prime achieving success again.
- Literal Image
- flowers blooming on roasted beans
- Closest Equivalent
- Flowers blooming from roasted beans
- How to Use It
- Used to describe a miraculous comeback or an event that seemed entirely impossible. It can apply to people who find success late in life.
Meaning
Literally describes the impossible situation of flowers blooming from beans that have been roasted. It is used to describe events that are thought to be impossible, highly unlikely, or miraculous. Additionally, it metaphorically refers to an elderly person or someone who is no longer in their prime achieving great success once more, much like a second blooming.
Literal Image
flowers blooming on roasted beans
Equivalent Proverbs
Flowers blooming from roasted beans
A literal equivalent used to describe impossible wonders.
How to Use It
Used to describe a miraculous comeback or an event that seemed entirely impossible. It can apply to people who find success late in life.
Tone
Carries a sense of wonder or admiration, especially when used to describe a person's renewed success.
Examples
煎り豆に花が咲いたように、引退した老教授が再び輝かしい研究成果を出した。
Like flowers blooming on roasted beans, the retired professor once again achieved brilliant research results.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses the specific kanji 煎 (roast) and represents a metaphorical image that requires understanding of the 'second blooming' nuance.
煎り豆
いりまめ / irimame
roasted beans
花
はな / hana
flower
Usage Profile
Usage note: Ensure context clarifies whether you mean an 'impossibility' or a 'miraculous comeback' by a person.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse this with just any impossible event; it carries a positive nuance of a 'comeback' in practical use.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Roasted beans have been heat-treated, making it physically impossible for them to sprout or bloom. The proverb uses this imagery to describe events that are miraculous or defy normal expectations.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
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