Proverb / Kotowaza
時は金なり
Time is precious and should not be wasted because it is as valuable as money.
Time is money
Quick Answer
Time is precious and should not be wasted because it is as valuable as money.
- Literal Image
- Time is money
- Closest Equivalent
- Time is money
- How to Use It
- Used to encourage efficiency, warn against procrastination, or explain why someone is being protective of their schedule.
Meaning
This expression emphasizes that time is a finite and valuable resource. Just as one would not carelessly throw away money, one should use their time effectively and avoid wasting it on unproductive activities. It serves as a reminder that lost time is a lost opportunity for growth or earnings.
Literal Image
Time is money
Equivalent Proverbs
Time is money
Source-listed English expression with a similar lesson.
How to Use It
Used to encourage efficiency, warn against procrastination, or explain why someone is being protective of their schedule.
Tone
Instructive and cautionary.
Examples
無駄な会議で一日を潰すな。時は金なりだ。
Don't waste the whole day on useless meetings. Time is money.
時は金なりというように、フリーランスにとって時間は直接収入に関わる。
As they say, time is money; for freelancers, time is directly linked to income.
通勤時間を読書に充てている。時は金なりの精神だ。
I spend my commuting time reading. It's in the spirit of 'time is money'.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic kanji and the classical 'nari' ending, but the overall meaning is immediately clear due to its English counterpart.
時
とき / toki
time
金
かね / kane
money
なり
なり / nari
is (classical copula)
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this too aggressively can make you sound overly focused on profit or productivity.
Misread Risk
While 'nari' is classical, it is part of the set phrase; using 'toki wa kane desu' would sound unnatural.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression is a direct translation of the English 'Time is money'. It traces back to a Greek origin, 'Time is a costly outlay'. In the late 16th century, the English expression 'Time is precious' appeared, and 'Time is money' was later popularized by the writings of Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century. Franklin illustrated this by noting that a person who can earn ten shillings a day through labor but spends half a day idle has not just spent a few pence on entertainment, but has effectively thrown away five shillings.
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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.