Minasan Ohayō gozaimasu!
Do you know what to say “Last but not least” in Japanese proverb?
Let’s find it now!
I’ll show you 5 Japanese proverbs in this blog. Let’s get started!
Introducing 5 Japanese proverbs, vol.11 Video
能ある鷹は爪を隠す
（のうある たかは つめを かくす）
Romaji: nō aru taka wa tsume o kakusu
Word: nō (能)= ability, competency, taka (鷹)= hawk, tsume (爪)=nail
Direct translation: A capable hawk hides its claws
Equivalent English expressions: A skilled hawk conceals its talon. A wise man keeps a still tongue. He who knows most, speaks least
Example: 自分の自慢ばかりしている人って、馬鹿に見えるよね。本当に頭のいい人って、自慢はあまりしないでしょ。能ある鷹は爪を隠すって言うでしょ。
Jibun no jimann bakari shiteiru hito tte, baka ni mieru yone. hontō nnii atama no ii hito tte, jiman wa amari shinai desho. nō aru taka wa tsume o kakusu tte iu desho.
People who always boast oneself looks silly. The real smart person doesn’t boast oneself. They say, “nō aru taka wa tsume o kakusu”.
隣の芝は青い
（となりの しばは あおい）
Romaji: tonari no shiba wa aoi
Word: tonari (隣)= next, neighbor shiba (芝) =glass, aoi (青い)= blue, green
Direct translation: Glass in the next door is blue
Equivalent English expressions: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. The grass is always greener elsewhere.
Example: 佐藤さんはいつも山田さんの持っているものを欲しいがるけど、さとうさんもいいものもってるよ。隣の芝は青いって言うから、人のものがいいように見えるだけだよ。
Satō-san wa itsumo Yamada-san no motteiru mono o hoshigaru kedo, Satō-san mo iimono motteru yo. Tonari no shiba wa aoi tte iukara, hitono mono ga iiyō ni mieru dake dayo.
Sato-san, you always want to have Yamdasa-san’s items, but you also have good things. It just looks “tonari no shiba wa aoi“.
残り物には福がある
（のこりもの には ふくが ある）
Romaji: nokori mono niwa fuku ga aru
Word: nokorimono (残り物)= leftover, fuku (福)= fortune
Direct translation: There is good fortune in the leftovers
Equivalent English expressions: Last but not least. Lucky last. Sometimes the lee is better than the wine.
Example: 最後の一個だね！残っててラッキー！ 残り物には福があるって言うから、きっといいものに違いない！
Saigo no ikko dane! Nokottete rakki-! “nokori mono niwa fuku ga aru” tte iu kara, kitto iimono ni chigai nai!
It’s the last one! Glad that I still get the one, I feel lucky! They say “nokori mono niwa fuku ga aru”, so it must be the good one!.
金は天下の回りもの
（かねはてんかのまわりもの）
Romaji: kane wa tenka no mawarimono
Word: kane (金)= money, tenka (天下)=the whole country, mawarimono (回りもの)= what goes around
Direct translation: Money is what goes around the world.
Equivalent English expressions: Money comes and goes.
Example: 貯金ばっかりしてても、お金の流れが止まっちゃうよ。お金は使うことで入ってくるからね。金は天下の回りものだよ。
Chokin bakkari shiteite mo, okane no nagare ga tomacchau yo. Okane wa tsukau koto de haitte kuru kara ne. “kane wa tenka no mawarimono” dayo.
If you don’t spend but just save, the cash flow will stop. Money is coming in by using. They say “kane wa tenka no mawarimono“.
好きこそものの上手なれ
（すきこそ ものの じょうずなれ）
Romaji: suki koso mono no jōzu nare
Word: suki (好き)= like, jōzu (上手)=good at
Direct translation: If you like it, you’ll be good at it.
Equivalent English expressions: What one likes, one will do well. Do what you love and love what you do.
Example: 何事も「好きになる」という情熱を超える先生はいないね。好きこそものの上手なれ。やる気があれば自分で何でも調べて上達するからね。
Nanigoto mo “suki ni naru” toiu jōnetsu o koeru sensō wa inai ne. Suki koso mono no jōzu nare. Yaruki ga areba, jibun de nan demo shirabete jōtatsu suru kara ne.
There is no better teacher than passion. “suki koso mono no jōzu nare”. If you like it, you’ll learn by yourself and make progress.
How was it? Dō deshita ka?
Do you have your favorite Kotowaza?
Hope you enjoyed the 5 Japanese proverbs introduced this time!
Find out the 10 most famous Japanese proverbs!
＊ If you wonder what are “dane”, “dayo”, desu yo” – ending particles, you way want to watch these two videos 🙂
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