Situations
Japanese Proverbs for Real-Life Situations
Start with situations when the context comes first: encouraging someone, giving a warning, explaining failure, offering advice, or talking about luck. This path helps you move from a conversation need to a kotowaza whose tone and meaning fit.
All Situations
19 situations
Encourage Someone
Proverbs useful when you need to encourage someone.
Warn Someone
Proverbs useful when you need to warn someone.
Explain Failure
Proverbs useful when you need to explain failure.
Praise Effort
Proverbs useful when you need to praise effort.
Criticize Carelessness
Proverbs useful when you need to criticize carelessness.
Talk About Luck
Proverbs useful when you need to talk about luck.
Explain an Unexpected Outcome
Proverbs useful when you need to explain an unexpected outcome.
Give Life Advice
Proverbs useful when you need to give life advice.
Advise Patience
Proverbs useful when you need to advise patience.
Urge Action
Proverbs useful when you need to urge action.
Recommend Restraint
Proverbs useful when you need to recommend restraint.
Make Peace
Proverbs useful when you need to make peace.
Teach Humility
Proverbs useful when you need to teach humility.
Compare People or Things
Proverbs useful when you need to compare people or things.
Explain Consequences
Proverbs useful when you need to explain consequences.
Describe Human Nature
Proverbs useful when you need to describe human nature.
Talk About Reputation
Proverbs useful when you need to talk about reputation.
Discuss Money or Work
Proverbs useful when you need to discuss money or work.
Comfort After Hardship
Proverbs useful when you need to comfort after hardship.