Proverb / Kotowaza
地震雷火事親父
A traditional list of the four most terrifying things.
Earthquake, thunder, fire, father.
Quick Answer
A traditional list of the four most terrifying things.
- Literal Image
- Earthquake, thunder, fire, father.
- How to Use It
- Used to name classic frightening things, or to emphasize how scary a strict father can be by comparing his anger to natural disasters.
Meaning
This expression lists four classic sources of fear, historically ranked in order of their perceived danger. It groups the unpredictability and destructiveness of natural disasters—earthquakes, lightning, and fires—alongside the wrath of a strict father.
Literal Image
Earthquake, thunder, fire, father.
How to Use It
Used to name classic frightening things, or to emphasize how scary a strict father can be by comparing his anger to natural disasters.
Tone
Carries a slightly humorous or nostalgic tone today, as the concept of the universally terrifying father feels like a relic of the past.
Examples
昔から「地震雷火事親父」と言って怖いものの代名詞とされてきたが、最近は親父の権威も薄れてきた。
Historically, 'earthquake, thunder, fire, father' has been used as a synonym for scary things, but recently the authority of fathers has faded.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses fundamental vocabulary for natural phenomena and family, but the specific sequence and idiomatic context require memorization.
地震
じしん / jishin
earthquake
雷
かみなり / kaminari
thunder, lightning
火事
かじ / kaji
fire, conflagration
親父
おやじ / oyaji
father, old man
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
While 'oyaji' literally means 'father', in modern contexts it can sound outdated or humorous as a serious threat compared to actual natural disasters.
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Origin
Originating in the Edo period, this expression lists what people of that time feared most. For the final word 'oyaji' (father), there are two main theories: one suggests it originally referred to a strict father during an era of strong patriarchal authority, while another suggests it is a corruption of 'ooyamaji', which means a fierce wind or typhoon.
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Source Note
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