Popular Japanese Proverbs: Japanese Proverbs About Life, Humility, and Other Values

Japanese proverbs, or kotowaza (ことわざ), pack centuries of wisdom into short, memorable phrases. These sayings reveal how Japanese culture values perseverance, humility, and harmony in daily life. Whether you're learning Japanese or just curious about Japanese wisdom, understanding these proverbs gives you insight into how people think and communicate in Japan. Plus, they're genuinely useful for making your Japanese sound more natural and culturally aware.

What are Japanese proverbs

A Japanese proverb is called kotowaza in Japanese. The word combines "koto" (Thing/Matter) and "waza" (Technique), basically meaning "verbal techniques" or "word skills." These aren't just random sayings people made up last week. Most kotowaza have been around for hundreds of years, passed down through generations.

Proverbs in Japanese work similarly to English ones like "the early bird catches the worm" or "what goes around comes around." They take everyday observations about life and distill them into catchy phrases that stick in your memory. The difference is that Japanese proverbs often reflect specific cultural values like group harmony (wa), humility, and accepting life's impermanence.

Popular Japanese proverbs about perseverance and hard work

Nana korobi ya oki (七転び八起き) - Fall seven times, stand up eight

This proverb is probably one of the most famous in Japanese culture. It means you should keep getting back up no matter how many times you fail. The literal translation is "seven falls, eight rises," which mathematically means you always get up one more time than you fall down.

I've seen this saying on motivational posters in Japanese gyms, heard it in anime when characters face tough challenges, and even spotted it on business cards. It captures that Japanese cultural emphasis on ganbaru (), which means to persist and do your best even when things suck.

Saru mo ki kara ochiru (猿も木から落ちる) - Even monkeys fall from trees

Here's a humble reminder that everyone makes mistakes, even experts. The full saying translates to "even monkeys fall from trees," which is pretty funny when you think about it. Monkeys are literally tree specialists. They live in trees. If a monkey can mess up at the one thing it's supposed to be amazing at, then obviously humans will screw up too.

This proverb teaches humility and reminds masters of their craft to stay careful. Japanese culture values this kind of self-awareness. You'll hear people say this when a skilled person makes an uncharacteristic error, like when a professional chef burns dinner or a master calligrapher makes a stroke mistake.

Ishiki wa kongou (意志は金剛) - Will is diamond

This saying compares willpower to diamond, emphasizing that strong determination is unbreakable. The word "kongou" refers to diamond or vajra (The indestructible substance in Buddhism). When you have solid willpower, you can push through obstacles that would stop most people.

Japanese proverbs about life and time

Ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会) - One time, one meeting

This proverb reminds you to treasure every encounter because it might never happen again. The literal meaning is "one lifetime, one meeting." It originated in Japanese tea ceremony culture, where each gathering should be treated as a unique, unrepeatable moment.

I really like this one because it cuts through the modern tendency to half-pay attention to people while scrolling your phone. The saying pushes you to be fully present because this exact moment, with these exact people, will never come again.

Toki wa kane nari (時は金なり) - Time is money

Yeah, Japanese has this saying too. It's actually a direct translation from the English "time is money," borrowed during Japan's modernization period. The Japanese language adopted it because the concept fit well with developing business culture.

Hana yori dango (花より団子) - Dumplings over flowers

This proverb means practical things matter more than pretty things. Literally "dumplings rather than flowers," it suggests you should choose food (Substance) over cherry blossoms (Fleeting beauty). It's about being pragmatic instead of getting caught up in superficial aesthetics.

You'd use this when someone picks a reliable but boring option over something flashy but impractical. Like choosing a dependable car over a beautiful sports car you can't afford to maintain.

Japanese proverbs about friendship and relationships

Tomodachi no tomodachi wa mina tomodachi (友達の友達は皆友達) - A friend of a friend is also a friend

This saying reflects how Japanese culture values group harmony and expanding social networks. When your friend introduces you to their friend, you're expected to treat that person warmly and build a connection. The proverb emphasizes the web of relationships that connects communities.

Ninjin ni wa ninjin no aji ga aru (人参には人参の味がある) - Carrots taste like carrots

This is a roundabout way of saying everyone has their own unique qualities and you should accept people as they are. The literal translation is "carrots have the taste of carrots," meaning you can't expect a carrot to taste like something else. It's about accepting differences in relationships.

Warau kado ni wa fuku kitaru (笑う角には福来たる) - Fortune comes to the home of those who smile

Basically, positive people attract good things. The word "kado" means "gate" or "corner," so literally this says "fortune comes to the smiling gate." If you maintain a cheerful attitude, good luck and good relationships will find you. This proverb appears constantly in Japanese self-help content and motivational contexts.

Japanese sayings about wisdom and learning

Manabu ni oshieru (学ぶに教える) - To learn is to teach

Teaching others actually deepens your own understanding. When you explain something to someone else, you discover gaps in your knowledge and solidify what you do know. This proverb appears often in educational contexts in Japan.

Onaji kama no meshi wo kuu (同じ釜の飯を食う) - Eating rice from the same pot

This idiom describes people who've shared experiences and formed bonds through them. Literally "eating rice from the same pot," it refers to the closeness that develops when people go through things together. You'd use this for coworkers who survived a tough project or friends who traveled together.

Neko ni koban (猫に小判) - Gold coins to a cat

This means giving something valuable to someone who can't appreciate it. A cat doesn't understand the value of gold coins, so giving them to a cat is pointless. In English, we'd say "pearls before swine" or "casting pearls before swine."

Japanese proverbs and their meanings about consequences and karma

Jigou jitoku (自業自得) - You reap what you sow

This four-character idiom (yojijukugo) literally means "one's own deed, one's own reward." Your actions determine your outcomes, whether good or bad. It's similar to the English saying "what goes around comes around," emphasizing that consequences follow naturally from your behavior.

Inu mo arukeba bou ni ataru (犬も歩けば棒に当たる) - A dog that walks will find a stick

This proverb has two interpretations. The original meaning was negative: if you wander around unnecessarily, you'll encounter trouble (The dog gets hit with a stick). But modern usage flipped it positive: if you take action and go out, opportunities will come (The dog finds a stick to play with).

I think this double meaning makes it especially interesting. Context determines whether someone's using it as a warning or encouragement.

Japanese quotes about humility and honor

Deru kugi wa utareru (出る釘は打たれる) - The nail that sticks out gets hammered down

This famous proverb captures a core aspect of Japanese culture: conformity and group harmony matter more than individual standing out. If you make yourself too prominent or different, expect social pressure to bring you back in line.

Some people criticize this saying for discouraging innovation and individual expression. Others argue it promotes social cohesion and prevents arrogance. Either way, understanding this proverb helps you understand Japanese workplace culture and social dynamics.

Mi kara deta sabi (身から出た錆) - Rust comes from the body itself

This means you're responsible for your own problems. The metaphor refers to how iron produces its own rust through oxidation. Your troubles come from your own actions and character flaws, so you can't blame others. It's about taking personal responsibility.

Nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu (能ある鷹は爪を隠す) - A skilled hawk hides its talons

Truly capable people don't need to show off. This proverb values quiet competence over loud bragging. A powerful hawk doesn't flash its sharp talons around because it's confident in its abilities. Similarly, a master craftsperson or expert doesn't need to constantly remind everyone how skilled they are.

This reflects the Japanese cultural value of humility. Boasting is seen as crude and insecure, while understated competence commands respect.

How Japanese kotowaza differ from English sayings

Why Japanese proverbs matter as to learn Japanese

The methods of learning Japanese proverbs

FAQs

Proverbs are the window to Japanese wisdom

You can't fully understand Japanese culture without knowing at least some major proverbs. These sayings reveal core values like perseverance, humility, harmony (wa), and acceptance of impermanence. They show up in business meetings, casual conversations, literature, and media. And that's where you should pick them up as well - media.

Keep on learning, rain or shine!