諺　ことわざ, Japanese Proverbs

from the 07/96 paper Ibaraki Report

The Japanese language has a plethora of fascinating and colorful proverbs, 諺 Kotowaza, expressions used to describe situations and feelings which have been passed down for centuries. The following is a short list of Japanese proverbs which are an interesting reflection of Japanese society, and play a small part in unlocking the unique Japanese way of thinking;

猿も木から落ちる。

Saru mo ki kara ochiru.
Literal translation- Even monkeys fall from trees.
Figurative translation- Even masters make mistakes.

かわいい子には旅をさせよ。

Kawaii ko ni wa tabi o saseyo.
Lit.- Make the cute child go on a journey.
Fig.- The best present one can give a pampered child is the indoctrination of hardship.

柳のえだに雪折れない。

Yanagi no eda ni yuki orenai.
Lit.- Snow cannot break the branch of a willow.
Fig.- Relax, be flexible.

千里の旅も一歩から始まる。

Senri no tabi mo ippo kara hajimaru.
Lit.- Even the journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.
Fig.- Don’t procrastinate.

郷にいれば郷に従え。

Gou ni ireba gou ni shitagae.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

馬の耳に念仏。

Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu.
Lit.- Buddha in the ear of a horse.
Fig.- Like “talking to a wall,” no matter what (great things) you say, it’s useless, beyond comprehension.

学問に近道なし。

Gakumon ni chikamichi nashi.
Lit.- No shortcuts lead to scholarship.
(I won’t provide a figurative translation for that.)