Proverb / Kotowaza
言うは易く行うは難し
It is easy to talk about doing something, but carrying it out in practice is difficult.
Saying is easy, doing is difficult.
Quick Answer
It is easy to talk about doing something, but carrying it out in practice is difficult.
- Literal Image
- Saying is easy, doing is difficult.
- Closest Equivalent
- Easier said than done.
- How to Use It
- Used when someone proposes an ambitious plan, talks about ideals without acting, or when realizing that a theoretical idea is much harder to implement than it seemed.
Meaning
This proverb contrasts the simplicity of speaking with the challenge of acting. It reminds us that while making plans or stating ideals takes very little effort, actually executing those plans requires significant work and determination.
Literal Image
Saying is easy, doing is difficult.
Equivalent Proverbs
Easier said than done.
A direct structural and semantic equivalent.
How to Use It
Used when someone proposes an ambitious plan, talks about ideals without acting, or when realizing that a theoretical idea is much harder to implement than it seemed.
Tone
Cautionary and grounding.
Examples
計画は完璧だが、言うは易く行うは難しだ。
The plan is perfect, but it is easier said than done.
理想を語るのはいいが、言うは易く行うは難しであることを忘れてはいけない。
It is fine to talk about ideals, but you must not forget that saying is easy and doing is difficult.
言うは易く行うは難しで、なかなか実現できない。
It is easier said than done, so it is quite hard to actually achieve.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary is straightforward, though the classical 'katashi' (difficult) and 'yasuku' (easy) contrast is a set grammatical pattern.
言う
いう / iu
to say; to speak
易く
やすく / yasuku
easily; easy
行う
おこなう / okonau
to do; to carry out
難し
かたし / katashi
difficult; hard
Usage Profile
Usage note: It can sound dismissive of someone's creative ideas, so use it carefully when evaluating proposals.
Misread Risk
Ensure you use the contrastive 'wa' particle properly when saying or writing the phrase.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from the Chinese classic text 'Discourses on Salt and Iron' (Yantie Lun) and other historical texts, contrasting the ease of putting intentions into words with the distinct difficulty of actual execution.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
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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.