Proverb / Kotowaza
泣きっ面に蜂
A situation where bad luck is followed by even more bad luck.
A bee (stinging) a crying face
Quick Answer
A situation where bad luck is followed by even more bad luck.
- Literal Image
- A bee (stinging) a crying face
- How to Use It
- Use this when explaining a series of unfortunate events that happen one after another, or when a second misfortune makes an already bad situation worse.
Meaning
This expression describes a series of unfortunate events occurring in succession. It is used when someone is already in a difficult or sad state and then faces an additional, unexpected hardship that worsens their situation.
Literal Image
A bee (stinging) a crying face
How to Use It
Use this when explaining a series of unfortunate events that happen one after another, or when a second misfortune makes an already bad situation worse.
Tone
Used in a sympathetic or self-deprecating way when describing multiple setbacks.
Examples
会社が倒産した上に、交通事故にも遭うなんて、まさに「泣きっ面に蜂」だ。
To get into a car accident on top of the company going bankrupt is truly a bee to a crying face.
失恋した上に、財布までなくしてしまった。今の僕は「泣きっ面に蜂」だ。
I lost my wallet after getting my heart broken. Right now, it is like a bee stinging a crying face.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the individual kanji are basic, the reading 'tsura' for face and the phonological contraction in 'nakittsura' (crying face) make the phrase more advanced for learners.
泣きっ面
なきっつら / nakittsura
crying face
蜂
はち / hachi
bee
Usage Profile
Usage note: This focuses on coincidental bad luck rather than misfortune caused by specific personal choices.
Misread Risk
Do not interpret this as someone intentionally attacking a person in distress; the bee represents an impersonal second wave of misfortune.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression comes from the image of a bee flying toward and stinging the face of a person who is already crying. Since crying is already a sign of misfortune, getting stung on top of that represents one disaster being added to another.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
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Source Note
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