Japanese proverbs

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(Redirected from Kotowaza)

[edit] Kotowaza

A Japanese proverb (諺, ことわざ, kotowaza^?) may take the form of:

a short saying (言い習わし iinarawashi),
an idiomatic phrase (慣用句 kan'yōku), or
a four-character idiom (四字熟語 yojijukugo).

Although "proverb" and "saying" are practically synonymous, the same cannot be said about "idiomatic phrase" and "four-character idiom". Not all kan'yōku and yojijukugo are proverbial. For instance, the kan'yōku 狐の嫁入り kitsune no yomeiri (Literally: a fox's wedding. Meaning: a sun-shower) and the yojijukugo 小春日和 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.

[edit] Usage

The Japanese love proverbs and use them frequently in their everyday life, often citing just the first part of a well-known phrase in an effort to be brief. For example, one might say I no naka no kawazu (井の中の蛙, a frog in a well^?) to refer to the proverb I no naka no kawazu, taikai o shirazu (井の中の蛙、大海を知らず, a frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean^?).

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

[edit] 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 布石を打つ) and Buddhism and many four-character idioms are from Chinese philosophy written in Classical Chinese, in particular "The Analects" by Confucius. (a frog in a well (井の中の蛙^?) is Classical Chinese, from Zhuangzi.)

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

[edit] Examples of Japanese proverbs

[edit] Sayings

案ずるより産むが易しい。
- Anzuru yori umu ga yasashii.
- 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.

出る杭は打たれる。
- Deru kui wa utareru.
- Literally: The stake that sticks out gets hammered down.
- Meaning: The nonconformist will be pounded down. / Don't make waves.

知らぬが仏
- Shiranu ga hotoke.
- Literally: Not knowing is Buddha.
- Meaning: Ignorance is bliss. / It's better to not know the truth.

見ぬが花
- Minu ga hana.
- Literally: Not seeing is a flower.
- Meaning: Not what I expected. / Reality can't compete with imagination.

[edit] Idiomatic phrases

猫に小判 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

七転び八起き nanakorobi yaoki
- Literally: stumbling seven times but recovering eight
- Meaning: Bouncing back up as often as Fortune knocks one down

猿も木から落ちる Saru mo ki kara ochiru
- Literally: Even monkeys fall from trees
- Meaning: Anyone can make a mistake. Also used to warn pride comes before a fall.

[edit] Four-character idioms

十人十色 jūnin toiro
- Literally: ten persons, ten colors
- Meaning:　To each his/her own. / Different strokes for different folks.
悪因悪果 akuin akka
- Literally: evil cause, evil effect / bad causes bring bad results
- Meaning: Sow evil and reap evil. / You reap what you sow.
- Note: this is a Buddhist sentiment that emphasizes the idea of karmic retribution.
弱肉強食 jaku niku kyō shoku
- Literally: weak, meat; strong, eat
- Meaning: Survival of the fittest.