Minasan Ohayō gozaimasu!
Did you know there are several Japanese proverbs that imported from English ones?
I show you 5 Japanese proverbs this time too. Let’s get started!
Introducing 5 Japanese proverbs, vol.4 Video
口は災いの元
（くちはわざわいのもと）
Romaji: kuchi wa wazawai no moto
Word: kuchi (口)= mouth, wazawai (災い)=disaster, もと (元)= source
Direct translation: The mouth is a source of disaster
Meaning: you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
Example: Better not say everything you think. You always make them angry. Kuchi wa wazawai no moto dayo.
壁に耳あり障子に目あり
（かべにみみあり しょうじにめあり）
Romaji: kabe ni mimi ari shōji ni me ari
Word: kabe (壁)= wall, mimi (耳) =ear, shōji (障子)= Japanese paper sliding door, me (目)=eye
Direct translation: Walls have ears and doors have eyes.
Meaning: You never know who is watching or listening, so be careful.
Equivalent English Proverb: Fields have eyes, and woods have ears. Walls have ears.
Example: Lower your voice and be careful what you say. “kabe ni mimi ari shōji ni me ari” dayo.
美しいバラにはトゲがある
（うつくしい ばらには とげがある）
Romaji: Utsukushii bara niwa toge ga aru
Word: utsukushiii (美しい)= beautiful, bara (バラ)= rose, toge (トゲ、棘)= thorn
Direct translation: Beautiful roses have thorns
Equivalent English Proverb: There is no rose without a thorn
Example: Something beautiful and attractive always have its dark side.
You say that we can stay such a gorgeous hotel for free? Is there such a tempting offer? Be careful, “Utsukushii bara niwa toge ga aru” dayo.
ローマは一日にして成らず
（ろーまは いちにちに してならず）
Romaji: rōma wa ichinichi ni shite narazu
Word: rōma (ローマ)= Rome, ichinichi (一日)= one day, narazu (成らず) not to become
Direct translation: Rome didn’t become as Rome in a day
Equivalent English Proverb: Rome wasn’t built in a day
This proverb is the same in English. Probably just imported from English proverb.
ペンは剣より強し
（ぺんは けんより つよし）
Romaji: pen wa ken yori tsuyoshi
Word: pen (ペン)=pen, ken (剣)= sword, tsuyoshi (強し）<- tsuyoi (強い)=strong
Direct translation: The pen is mightier than the sword
Equivalent English expression: The pen is mightier than the sword
This proverb is the same in English too. Probably just imported from English proverb.
How was it? Dō deshita ka?
Do you have your favorite Kotowaza?
Hope you enjoyed to learn the 5 Japanese proverbs introduced this time!
Find out the 10 most famous Japanese proverbs!
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