Minasan Ohayō gozaimasu!
Can you guess what is “Do laundry while demon is away”?
Let’s find it now!
I’ll show you 5 Japanese proverbs in this blog. Let’s get started!
Introducing 5 Japanese proverbs, vol.5 Video
氷山の一角
（ひょうざんのいっかく）
Romaji: hyōzan no ikkaku
Word: hyōzan (氷山)= iceberg, ikkaku (一角)=tip, corner
Direct translation: Tip of the iceberg
Meaning: The small perceptible part of a much larger situation or problem that remains hidden.
The same Kotowaza as English one. 🙂
Example: Oh, you found a cockroach? They must be over 100 at least. What you found was just “hyōzan no ikkaku” dayo!
時は金なり
（ときはかねなり）
Romaji: toki wa kane nari
Word: toki (時)= time, kane (金) =money, gold
Direct translation: Time is money
Meaning: The same Kotowaza as English one. 🙂 Time is a valuable resource, therefore it’s better to do things as quickly as possible.
Example: Isoide! Hurry up! “toki wa kane nari” dayo!
笑う門には福来たる
（わらうかどにはふくきたる）
Romaji: Warau kado niwa fuku kitaru
Word: warau (笑う)= smile/laugh, kado (門)= gate, fuku(福)= fortune, happiness, kitaru (来たる)<-kuru”come”
Direct translation: Happiness comes to the smiling gate
Equivalent English expressions: Fortune comes in by a merry gate. Laughter is the key to happiness
Example: Smile, and happiness will come to you. “Warau kado niwa fuku kitaru” dayo!
If you want to be happy, smile! because fortune comes to the people who looks happy.
鬼の居ぬ間に洗濯
（おにのいぬまにせんたく）
Romaji: oni no inu ma ni sentaku
Word: oni (鬼)= demon, goblin, inu (居ぬ)<- inai= absent, ma (間) = while, during, moment, sentaku (洗濯)=washing clothes
Direct translation: Washing clothes while the demon is away
Equivalent English Proverb: When the cat’s away, the mice will play.
Example: Scary mother is on a trip tonight! Let’s enjoy ourself now! oni no inu ma ni sentaku♪
長い物には巻かれろ
（ながいものには まかれろ）
Romaji: nagai mono niwa makarero
Word: nagai mono (長い物)=long thing -the meaning is “powerful, authority”, makarero (巻かれろ)=let them roll you
Direct translation: For the long thing, let it roll you
Meaning: If you can’t beat them, join them. Bow to the authority. You can’t fight city hall.
Example: No.. you can’t fight them. They are too strong. Why don’t you become their friend? “nagai mono niwa makarero“dayo.
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!
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