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Japanese Proverbs About Japanese Culture
Culture-rich Japanese proverbs open a window onto habits, values, manners, and ways people judge a situation. This selection helps readers learn meaning without turning every saying into an unsupported origin story.
Page 3 of 3 lists entries 97-110. Start from the first page to see this list from the beginning.
Back to first pageJapanese Proverbs in Japanese Culture
Showing 97-110 of 110 entries // Page 3 of 3
板につく
ita ni tsukuTo become accustomed to a role or position, so that one's behavior appears completely natural.
鰯の頭も信心から
iwashi no atama mo shinjin karaFaith has the power to make even the most trivial or worthless things seem precious and valuable.
地獄極楽は心にあり
jigoku gokuraku wa kokoro ni ariWhether one experiences suffering (hell) or joy (paradise) is determined entirely by one's own mindset.
自慢高慢馬鹿の内
jiman koman baka no uchiBoasting and acting arrogant are foolish behaviors.
地震雷火事親父
jishin kaminari kaji oyajiA traditional list of the four most terrifying things.
亀の甲より年の功
kame no ko yori toshi no koExperience gained over many years is more valuable than anything else.
聞くは一時の恥聞かぬは一生の恥
kiku wa ittoki no haji kikanu wa issho no hajiAsking a question may be embarrassing for a moment, but remaining ignorant brings shame for a lifetime.
清水の舞台から飛び降りる
kiyomizu no butai kara tobioriruTo make a bold decision or take a leap of faith with desperate resolve.
子はかすがい
ko wa kasugaiA child’s presence serves as the bond that keeps a husband and wife together.
弘法も筆の誤り
kobo mo fude no ayamariEven the greatest experts can make mistakes.
苦しい時の神頼み
kurushii toki no kamidanomiTurning to divine help only when in trouble, despite ignoring it at other times.
猿も木から落ちる
saru mo ki kara ochiruEven experts can make mistakes in their own field of expertise.
鶴は千年亀は万年
tsuru wa sennen kame wa mannenA celebratory expression used to wish for longevity and prosperity based on the long lifespans of cranes and turtles.
笑う門には福来たる
warau kado ni wa fuku kitaruGood fortune naturally visits a household that is always filled with laughter.