Proverb / Kotowaza
壁に耳あり障子に目あり
Secrets are easily leaked because you never know who might be listening or watching.
Walls have ears, and shoji (paper sliding doors) have eyes.
Quick Answer
Secrets are easily leaked because you never know who might be listening or watching.
- Literal Image
- Walls have ears, and shoji (paper sliding doors) have eyes.
- Closest Equivalent
- Walls have ears.
- How to Use It
- Used to warn someone to be discreet and careful with their words, especially when discussing sensitive information.
Meaning
This proverb serves as a warning that private conversations and secret plans are easily overheard or observed. It reminds us that hidden observers could be anywhere, so one must be careful about what they say and do in supposed privacy.
Literal Image
Walls have ears, and shoji (paper sliding doors) have eyes.
Equivalent Proverbs
Walls have ears.
Focuses only on the listening aspect.
Hedges have eyes and walls have ears.
Matches both the listening and watching aspects.
How to Use It
Used to warn someone to be discreet and careful with their words, especially when discussing sensitive information.
Tone
Cautionary.
Examples
秘密の話は場所を選ぼう。壁に耳あり障子に目ありだから。
Let's choose our location carefully for secret talks. After all, walls have ears and shoji have eyes.
壁に耳あり障子に目ありで、社内の噂はあっという間に広まった。
Because walls have ears and shoji have eyes, the rumor in the company spread in the blink of an eye.
重要な会議の内容が漏れていた。壁に耳あり障子に目ありとはこのことだ。
The contents of the important meeting were leaked. This is exactly what 'walls have ears and shoji have eyes' means.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary is fairly basic, but the phrase uses the classical 'ari' (instead of aru) in a fixed rhythmic pattern.
壁
かべ / kabe
wall
耳
みみ / mimi
ear
障子
しょうじ / shouji
shoji (Japanese sliding paper door)
目
め / me
eye
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a direct warning; use it when someone is speaking too loudly about sensitive topics.
Misread Risk
Do not assume a room is completely private just because no one is visible.
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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.