Japanese proverbs

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A Japanese proverb (?, ????, kotowaza) may take the form of:

• a short saying (????? iinarawashi),
• an idiomatic phrase (??? kan'y?ku), or
• a four-character idiom (???? yojijukugo).

Although "proverb" and "saying" are practically synonymous, the same cannot be said about "idiomatic phrase" and "four-character idiom". Not all kan'y?ku and yojijukugo are proverbial. For instance, the kan'y?ku ????? kitsune no yomeiri (Literally: a fox's wedding. Meaning: a sun-shower) and the yojijukugo ???? koharubiyori (Literally: small spring weather. Meaning: Indian summer - warm spring-like weather in early winter) are not proverbs. To be considered a proverb, a word or phrase must express a common truth or wisdom; it cannot be a mere noun.

Video Japanese proverbs

Usage

Japanese commonly use proverbs, often citing just the first part of common phrases for brevity. For example, one might say I no naka no kawazu (?????, a frog in a well) to refer to the proverb I no naka no kawazu, taikai o shirazu (????????????, a frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean). Whereas proverbs in English are typically multi-worded phrases ("kill two birds with one stone"), Japanese yojijukugo (????) borrows from Chinese and compactly conveys the concept in one word Isseki nich? (????, one stone two birds).

The heavy employment of proverbs enables Japanese language to be concise. Evidence might be found in Japanese animation and manga, but also appears in news and cultural programs, and in much fiction.

Maps Japanese proverbs

Origin

Because traditional Japanese culture was tied to agriculture, many Japanese proverbs are derived from agricultural customs and practices. Some are from the Go game (e.g., fuseki o utsu ?????), the tea ceremony (e.g., ichi go ichi e ????), and Buddhism. Many four-character idioms are from Chinese philosophy written in Classical Chinese, in particular "The Analects" by Confucius. (a frog in a well (?????) is Classical Chinese, from the Zhuangzi.)

Lists of Japanese proverbs can be found at Wiktionary:Category:Japanese proverbs and Wikiquote:Japanese proverbs.

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Examples

Sayings

• ???????????
  • Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi.
  • Literally: Giving birth to a baby is easier than worrying about it.
  • Meaning: Fear is greater than the danger. / An attempt is sometimes easier than expected.
• ?????????
  • Deru kui wa utareru.
  • Literally: The stake that sticks up gets hammered down.
  • Meaning: If you stand out, you will be subject to criticism.
• ??????
  • Shiranu ga hotoke.
  • Literally: Not knowing is Buddha.
  • Meaning: Ignorance is bliss. / What you don't know can't hurt you.
• ?????
  • Minu ga hana.
  • Literally: Not seeing is a flower.
  • Meaning: Reality can't compete with imagination.
• ????????
  • Hana wa sakuragi, hito wa bushi.
  • Literally: Of flowers, the cherry blossom; of men, the warrior.
  • Meaning: As the cherry blossom is considered foremost among flowers, so the warrior is foremost among men.

Idiomatic phrases

• ????
  • Neko ni koban
  • Literally: Gold coins to a cat.
  • Meaning: Casting pearls before swine / Giving something of value to a recipient that does not value it.
• ??????
  • Nanakorobi yaoki
  • Literally: Fall seven times and stand up eight
  • Meaning: When life knocks you down, stand back up; What matters is not the bad that happened, but what one does after.
• ????????
  • Saru mo ki kara ochiru
  • Literally: Even monkeys fall from trees
  • Meaning: Anyone can make a mistake.
• ?????
  • Hana yori dango
  • Literally: Dumplings rather than flowers
  • Meaning: To prefer substance over form, as in to prefer to be given functional, useful items (such as dumplings) instead of merely decorative items (such as flowers).

Four-character idioms

• ????
  • j?nin toiro
  • Literally: ten persons, ten colors
  • Meaning: To each his own. / Different strokes for different folks.
• ????
  • inga ?h?
  • Literally: Cause bring result / bad causes bring bad results
  • Meaning: what goes around comes around
  • Note: this is a Buddhist sentiment that emphasizes the idea of karmic retribution.
• ????
  • jaku niku ky? shoku
  • Literally: The weak are meat; the strong eat.
  • Meaning: Survival of the fittest.

src: www.quotemaster.org

See also

• Japanese culture
• Japanese language

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External links

• Japanese Proverbs
• Japanese Language Kotowaza - proverbs & sayings
• Words of Wisdom OK312 ??<=>?????????????
• Nihon no Kotowaza
• ?????? (in Japanese)
• Japanese Kotowaza (in Japanese and English)
• Japanese / English / Dutch v.v. Proverb dictionary
• Golden Proverbs A nice collection of Japanese proverbs.

Source of article : Wikipedia