Proverb / Kotowaza
河童の川流れ
Even the greatest experts can make mistakes in their own field of expertise.
a kappa being carried away by the river
Quick Answer
Even the greatest experts can make mistakes in their own field of expertise.
- Literal Image
- a kappa being carried away by the river
- Closest Equivalent
- Even Homer sometimes nods
- How to Use It
- Used to describe a situation where someone who is highly proficient or a veteran in a specific area makes an unexpected error.
Meaning
Just as a kappa, a mythical creature known for being a master of water, can occasionally be swept away by a river current, even highly skilled masters and specialists can fail at the very thing they are best at.
Literal Image
a kappa being carried away by the river
Equivalent Proverbs
Even Homer sometimes nods
Even the greatest can make an error.
No one is wise at all times
Nobody is perfect every single moment.
How to Use It
Used to describe a situation where someone who is highly proficient or a veteran in a specific area makes an unexpected error.
Tone
Can be used to acknowledge that no one is perfect, sometimes providing a sense of reassurance or humility.
Examples
あのベテラン棋士が初心者に負けるとは、河童の川流れだ。
That veteran shogi player losing to a beginner is truly a case of 'a kappa swept away by the river'.
スキーの達人が転倒するとは、河童の川流れもあるものだ。
For a master skier to fall down—even a kappa can be swept away by the river.
どんな名医でもミスはある。河童の川流れということだ。
Even the best doctors make mistakes. It is as they say: even a kappa can be carried away by the river.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses familiar kanji like 'river' and 'flow', but requires knowledge of the mythical 'kappa' and the idiomatic meaning of failing in one's own domain.
河童
かっぱ / kappa
a mythical Japanese water creature
川流れ
かわながれ / kawanagare
being carried away by a river
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
This is specifically for experts failing in their specialty; do not use it for a beginner's mistake.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
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.