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| Japanese | English translation | Exists in England?| 安請け合いの早忘れ | (やすうけあいのはやわすれ) A long tongue is a sign of a short hand | * | 我思う故に我在り | (われおもうゆえにわれあり) I think, therefore I am | * | なくてぞ人は恋しかりける | (なくてぞひとはこいしかりける) Absence makes the heart grow fonder | * | まさかの時の友こそ真の友 | (まさかのときのともこそまのとも) A friend in need is a friend indeed | * | みめより心 | (めみよりこころ) Virtue is the only true nobility | * | やってないよりやった方がましだ | (やってないよりやったほうがましだ) It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all | * | 一に看病、二に薬 | (いちにかんびょう、ににくすり) First nursing, second the medicine | 一を知りて、二を知らず | (いちをしりて、にをしらず) Superficial knowledge | 一を聞いて、十を知る | (いちをきいて、じゅうをしる) A word is enough to the wise | * | 一人相撲を取る | (ひとりずもうをとる) To tilt at windmills | * | 一利あれば、一害あり | (いちりあれば、いちがいあり) Everything has its pros and cons | * | 一利あれば一害あり | (いちりあればいちがいあり) Everything has its pros and cons | * | 一利あれば一害あり | (いちりあればいちがいあり) Everything has its pros and cons | * | 一寸の虫にも五分の魂 | (いっすんのむしにもごぶのたましい) Tread on a worm and it will turn | * | 一寸先は闇 | (いっすんさきはやみ) Who can see in the future? | 一将功成りて、万骨枯る | (いしょうこうなりて、ばんこつかる) one general succeeds, ten thousand bones wither | 一押し、二金、三男 | (いちおし、にかね、さんおとこ) Ways in order of priority to win a woman | 一文吝みの百失い | (いちもんおしみのひゃくうしない) Penny-wise and pound-foolish | * | 一犬虚を吠ゆれば万犬実を伝う | (いっけんきょうをほゆればばんけんじつをつたう) Rumours spread like fire | 一病息災 | (いちびょうそくさい) Cracked pots last longest | * | 一盲衆を引く | (いちもうしゅうをひく) If the blind leads the blind, they both fall into the ditch | * | 一盲衆を引く | (いちもうしゅうをひく) If the blind leads the blind, they both fall into the ditch | * | 一石二鳥 | (いせきにちょう) Kill two birds with one stone | * | 一言を持って、その賢愚を知る | (いちごんをもって、そのけんぐをしる) Recognize wisdom or stupidity from the first word spoken | 一難去って、また一難 | (いちなんさって、またいちなん) Misfortunes never come alone | * | 一鳴驚人 | (いちめいきょうにん) Someone who can achieve a lot with almost no effort | 七転び八起き | (ななころびやおき) By mistake we learn; Failure teaches success | * | 三つ子の魂百まで | (みつごのたましいひゃくまで) The leopard cannot change his spots | * | 三人寄れば文殊の知恵 | (さんにんよればもんじゅのちえ) Two heads are betters than one | * | 三度目の正直 | (さんどめのしょうじき) All things thrive at thrice | * | 下手の横好き | (へたのよこずき) To pursue an artistic discipline with zeal, despite lack of talent | 下手の道具しらべ | (へたのどうぐしらべ) A bad workman always blames his tools | * | 不老不死の薬は無い | (ふろうふしのくすりはない) There is a remedy for everything but death | * | 不老不死の薬は無い | (ふろうふしのくすりはない) Death does not recognise strength | * | 不言実行 | (ふげんじっこう) Deeds, not words | * | 世間は広いようで狭い | (せけんはひろいようでせまい) How small the world is! | * | 両手に花 | (りょうてにはな) He is cock of the walk | * | 乗りかかった船 | (のりかかったふね) In for a penny, in for a pound | * | 乗りかかった船 | (のりかかったふね) In for a penny, in for a pound | * | 乗りかかった船 | (のりかかったふね) In for a penny, in for a pound | * | 亀の甲より年の功 | (かめのこうよりとしのこう) Experience is the mother of wisdom | * | 亀の甲より年の功 | (かめのこうよりとしのこう) Experience is the best teacher | * | 亀の甲より年の功 | (かめのこうよりとしのこう) Years know more than books | * | 争いの種 | (あらそいのたね) The apple of discord | * | 事実は詳説より気になり | (じじつはしょうせつよりきになり) Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction | * | 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず | (にとをおうものはいっとをもえず) To fall between two stools | * | 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず | (にとをおうものはいっとをもえず) If you run after two hares, you will catch neither | * | 五十歩百歩 | (ごじっぽひゃっぽ) It makes no odds | * | 井の中の蛙大海を知らず | (いのなかのかわず、たいかいをしらず) People who's living environment is very small and lived there for the whole life's know nothing of the world | 井戸の中の独言も三年たてば知れる | (いどのなかのひとりごともさんねんたてばしれる) Time will tell | * | 亡羊の嘆 | (ぼうようのたん) To find a common link between various fields of learning is as difficult as trying to regroup a flock of scattered sheep | 人、木石に非ず | (ひと、ぼくせきにあらず) Man is made of flesh and blood | * | 人の一寸、我が一尺 | (ひとのいっすん、わがいっしゃく) You can see a mote in another man's eye, but cannot see a beam in your own (Matthew 7/3) | * | 人の一生は重荷を負うて、遠き道を行くが如し | (ひとのいっしょうはおもにをおうて、とおきみちをゆくがごとし) Human life is like walking a long road with a heavy burden on the back | 人の噂も七十五日 | (ひとのうわさもしちじゅうごにち) A wonder lasts but nine days | * | 人の噂も七十五日 | (ひとのうわさもしちじゅうごにち) A wonder lasts but nine days | * | 人の病は三年でも辛抱する | (ひとのいたはさんねんでもしんぼうする) It is easy to bear the misfortune of others | * | 人はパンのみにて生くるものに非ず | (ひとはぱんのみにていくるものにあらず) Not in bread alone does man live | * | 人は落ち目が大事 | (ひとはおちめがだいじ) The true quality of people is shown in adversity | 人は見かけによらぬもの | (ひとはみかけによらぬもの) Appearances are deceiving | * | 人を使うは使われる | (ひとをつかうはつかわれる) He who uses people is himself used | 人を呪わば、穴二つ | (ひとをのろわば、あなふたつ) He who digs a pit for others will fall in himself | * | 人を見たら泥棒と思え | (ひとをみたらどろぼうとおもえ) Don't trust strangers | 人を見て法を説け | (にんをみてほうをとけ) Answer a fool according to his folly (Pr 26/5) | * | 人を見て法を説け | (ひとをみてほうをとけ) All meats please not all mouths | * | 人を誹るは鴨の味 | (ひとをそしるはかものあじ) People think that malicious gossip is entertaining | 人見知りをする | (ひとみしりをする) Wait and see which way the cat jumps | * | 今参り二十日 | (いままいりはつか) New brooms sweep clean | * | 今参り二十日 | (いままいりはつか) A new broom sweeps clean | * | 仏の顔も三度 | (ほとけのかおもさんど) Even stoically patient people become angry when repeatedly treated impolitely | 仕事は多勢 | (しごとはたぜい) Many hands make light work | * | 他人より身内 | (たじんよりみない) Blood is thicker than water | * | 他人より身内 | (たじんよりみない) Blood is thicker than water | * | 以心伝心 | (いしんでんしん) To be on the same wavelength | * | 伊達の薄着 | (だてのうすぎ) Even in winter a dandy wears light clothes to appear slim | 佳人薄命 | (かじんはくめい) The fairest flowers soonest fade | * | 使う鍬は錆びない | (つかうくわはさびない) The memory deteriorates, if not used regularly | * | 便りの無いのは良い便り | (たよりのないのはよいたより) No news is good news | * | 便りの無いのは良い便り | (たよりのないのはよいたより) No news is good news | * | 偕老同穴 | (かいろうどうけつ) T'ill death do us part | * | 備えあれば患いなし | (そなえあればうれいなし) Providing is preventing | * | 備えあれば患なし | (そなえあればうれいなし) Prevention is better than cure | * | 傷口に塩 | (きずぐちにしお) To rub salt in the wound | * | 働かざるものは食うべからず | (はたらかざるものはくうべからず) If you won't work you shan't eat | * | 働かざるものは食うべからず | (はたらかざるものはくうべからず) No mill, no meal | * | 光るもの必ずしも金ならず | (ひかるものかならずしもきんあらず) All is not gold that glitters | * | 光陰矢の如し | (こういんやのごとし) Time flies | * | 八方美人は美人でない | (はっぽうびじんはびじんでない) A friend to all is a friend to none | * | 内弁慶の外鼠 | (うちべんけいのそとねずみ) Every cock is bold on his own dunghill | * | 内弁慶の外鼠 | (うちべんけいのそとねずみ) Every dog is a lion at home | * | 出たとこ勝負 | (でたとこしょうぶ) an Impromptu action | * | 判官びいき | (はんがんびいき) To stick up for the underdog | 前者の覆るは後者の戒め | (ぜんしゃのくつがえるはこうしゃのいましめ) Learn wisdom by the follies of others | * | 前門と虎、後門の狼 | (ぜんもんのとら、こうもんのおおかみ) Between Scylla and Charybdis | * | 医者の不養生 | (いしのふようじょう) Physician, heal thyself (Luke 4-23) | 十で神童、十五で才子、二十過ぎれば只の人 | (とうでしんどう、じゅうごでさいし、はたちすぎればただのひと) A man at five may be a fool at fifteen | * | 十人十色 | (じゅうにんといろ) So many men, so many minds | * | 去る者は日々に疎し | (さるものはひびにうとし) Out of sight, out of mind | * | 古川に水絶えず | (ふるかわにみずたえず) Even impoberished, an old family always has some resources | 可愛い子には旅させよ | (かわいいこにはたびさせよ) Spare the rod and spoil the child | * | 右の耳から左の耳 | (みぎのみみからひだりのみみ) To go in at one ear and out the other | * | 合せ物は離れ者 | (あわせものははなれもの) What has been joined may come apart | 同じ穴の貉 | (おなじあなのむじな) Birds of a feather flock together | * | 同じ穴の貉 | (おなじあなのむじな) Like loves like | * | 同じ穴の貉 | (おなじあなのむじな) Jackdaw always perches by jackdaw | * | 同床異夢 | (どうしょういむ) Although one lifes together, you can have very different views | 名人に二代なし | (めいじんににだいなし) The veritable master has no successor | * | 呉越同舟 | (ごえつどうしゅう) They are friends like Herodes and Pilatus | * | 商は牛の涎 | (あきないはうしのよだれ) Business is like ox's saliva | 嘘つきは泥棒の始まり | (うそつきはどろぼうのはじまり) He that will lie will steal | * | 嘘つきは泥棒の始まり | (うそつきはどろぼうのはじまり) Lying and thieving go together | * | 嘘は一時 | (うそはいっとき) Lies have short legs | * | 嘘も方便 | (うそもほうべん) A white lie | * | 噂をすれば影 | (うわさをすればかげ) Talk of the devil (and he's sure to appear) | * | 噂をすれば影 | (うわさをすればかげ) Talk of the devil (and he's sure to appear) | * | 因果応報 | (いんがおうほう) They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind | * | 地獄で仏に逢ったよう | (じごくでほとけにあったよう) A good Samaritan | * | 地獄の沙汰も金次第 | (じごくのさたもかねしだい) Money opens all doors | * | 坊主の不信心 | (ぼうずのふしんじん) The nearer the church, the farther from God | * | 坊主の不信心 | (ぼうずのふしんじん) The nearer the church, the farther from God | * | 坊主憎けりゃ、袈裟まで憎い | (ぼうずにくけりゃ、けさまでにくい) We detest everything related in any way to a person we hate | 堪忍袋の緒が切れる | (かんにんぶくろのおがきれる) The last straw breaks the camel's back | * | 塵も積もれば山と成る | (ちりもつもればやまとなる) Many a little make a mickle | * | 塵も積もれば山と成る | (ちりもつもればやまとなる) Many a little make a mickle | * | 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) The walls have ears | * | 売り言葉に買い言葉 | (うりことばにかいことば) The second word makes the quarrel | * | 外面似菩薩、内心如夜叉 | (げめんじぼさつ、ないしんにょやしゃ) A wolf in sheep's clothing | * | 多芸は無芸 | (たげいはむげい) A dozen trades, thirteen miseries | * | 多芸は無芸 | (たげいはむげい) Jack of all trades and master of none | * | 大は小を兼ねる | (だいはしょうをかねる) The large serves also for the small | 大は小を兼ねる | (だいはしょうをかねる) The large servers also for the small | 大事の前の小事 | (だいじのまえのしょうじ) Concentrate on priorities and ignore trifles | 大事の前の小事 | (だいじまえのしょうじ) Concentrate on priorities and ignore trifles | 大吉は凶に還る | (だいきちはきょうにかえる) The best is often the enemy of the good | * | 大同小異 | (だいどうしょうい) On large the same on small different | 大同小異 | (だいどうしょうい) On large issues the same, on small different | 大山鳴動鼠一匹 | (たいざんめいどうねずみいっぴき) The mountains have brought forth a mouse | * | 失敗は成功の基 | (しっぱいはせいこうのもと) By mistake we learn; Failure teaches success | * | 始めの勝ちは糞勝ち | (はじめのかちはくそがち) Win at first and lose at last | * | 始め半分 | (はじめはんぶん) Well begun is half done | * | 嫌な事もこれでお終い | (きらなこともこれでおおい) You only live once | * | 学問に王道なし | (がくもんにおうどうなし) There is no royal road to learning | * | 学問に近道なし | (がくもんにちかみちなし) There is no royal road to learning | * | 安かろう、悪かろう | (やすかろう、わるかろう) Cheapest is dearest | * | 安物買いの銭失い | (やすものがいのぜにうしない) Cheapest is dearest | * | 実る稲穂は頭垂れる | (みのるいなほはこうべたれる) The more noble, the more humble | * | 寝た子を起こす | (ねたこをおこす) Let sleeping dogs lie | * | 寝た子を起こすな | (ねたこをおこすな) Let sleeping dogs lie | * | 寝た子を起こすな | (ねたこをおこすな) Wake not a sleeping lion | * | 寝耳に水 | (ねみみにみず) To be suprised by the unexpected | 屠所の羊 | (としょのひつじ) To look like a sheep that is being led to the slaughter | 山椒は小粒でもピリリと辛い | (さんしょはこつぶでもピリリとからい) A little body often harbours a great soul | * | 嵐の前の静けさ | (あらしのまえのしずけさ) The calm before the storm | * | 己の欲せざる所を人に施す勿れ | (おのれのほっせざるところをひとにほどこすなかれ) Do as you would be done by | * | 席の暖まる暇もない | (せきのあたたまるいとまもない) To be always on the go | * | 年寄の冷水 | (としよりのひやみず) Act your age | 庇を貸して母屋を取られる | (ひさしをかしておもやをとられる) Give a clown your finger and he'll take your whole hand | * | 弁慶の泣き所 | (べんけいのなきどころ) An Achilles' heel | * | 弘法にも筆の誤り | (こうぼうにもふでのあやまり) Anyone can make a mistake | * | 弘法も筆の誤り | (こうぼうもふでのあやまり) Even the worthy Homer sometimes nods | * | 弘法も筆の誤り | (こうぼうもふでのあやまり) The best cart may overthrow | * | 弱き者は夫に取られる | (よわきものはぶにとられる) He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf | * | 弱き者よ、汝の名は女成り | (よわきものよ、なんじのめいはおんななり) Frailty, thy name is woman | * | 弱肉強食 | (じゃくにくきょうしょく) The great fish eat the small | * | 当たるも八卦、当たらぬも八卦 | (あたるもはっけ、あたらぬもはっけ) Fortune telling sometimes holds true, sometimes not | 影の形に添うが如し | (かげのかたちにそうがごとし) To follow one like his shadow | * | 役者に年なし | (やくしゃにとしなく) Actors have no age | 後の祭 | (あとのまつり) It is too late now | 後の雁が先に成る | (あとのがんがさきになる) Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first | * | 後は野となれ山となれ | (あとはのとなれやまとなれ) After us the Deluge | * | 得手に帆を上げる | (えてにほをあげる) Hoist your sail when the wind is fair | * | 心は二つ、身は一つ | (こころはふたつ、みはひとつ) One cannot be in two places at once | * | 必要は発明の母 | (ひつようははつめいのはは) Necessity is the mother of invention | * | 忙中閑あり | (ぼうちゅうかんあり) Idle folk have the least leisure | * | 念には念を入れよ | (ねんにはねんをいれよ) It is best to be on the safe side | * | 思い立ったが吉日 | (おもいたったがきちじつ) There is no time like the present | * | 思い立ったが吉日 | (おもいたったがきちじつ) Carpe Diem | * | 急いては事を仕損ずる | (せいてはことをしそんずる) Good and quickly seldom meet | * | 急がば廻れ | (いそがばまわれ) Festina lente | * | 恋の病に薬なし | (こいのやまいにくすりなし) There is no cure for love | * | 恋は盲目 | (こいはもうもく) Love is blind | * | 悪事千里を走る | (あくじせんりをはしる) Bad news travels fast | * | 悪女の深情け | (あくじょのふかなさけ) Ugly women are more possionate | 悪妻は百年の不作 | (あくさいはひゃくねんのふさく) An ill marriage is a spring of ill fortune | * | 悪銭身につかず | (あくせんみにつかず) Easy come, easy go | * | 情けは人の為ならず | (なさけはひとのためならず) One good turn deserves another | * | 意思あるところに道あり | (いしあるところにみちあり) Where there is a will, there is a way | * | 愚考山を移す | (ぐこうやまをうつす) Faith can move mountains | * | 慌てる乞食は貰いが少ない | (あわてるこじきはもらいがすくない) A beggar in a hurry recieves little | 憎まれ子、世に憚る | (にくまれこ、よにはばかる) Ill weeds grow apace | * | 我が仏尊し | (わがほとけとうとし) Everyone thinks his own geese swans | * | 我が仏尊し | (わがほとけとうとし) Every fool likes his own bauble best | * | 我田引水 | (がでんいんすい) Every miller draws water to his own mill | * | 所変われば品変わる | (ところかわればしなかわる) So many countries, so many customs | * | 所変われば品変わる | (ところかわればしなかわる) So many countries, so many customs | * | 才子多病 | (さいしたびょう) Too wise to live long | * | 挨拶より円札 | (あいさつよりえんさつ) Fair words fill not the belly | * | 捕らぬ狸の皮算用 | (とらぬたぬきのかわざんよう) Don't sell the skin till you have cought the bear | * | 捕らぬ狸の皮算用 | (とらぬたぬきのかわざんよう) Don't eat the calf in the cow's belly | * | 掃き溜めに鶴 | (はきだめにつる) Seem out of place in vulgar surroundings | 提灯と釣鐘 | (ちょうちんとつりがね) The families of the bride and groom are far apart | 敗軍の将は兵を語らず | (はいぐんのしょうはへいをかたらず) Do not try to justify past failure | 断腸の思い | (だんちょうのおもい) Be heartbroken | * | 断腸の思い | (だんちょうのおもい) My heart is broken | * | 日暮れて道遠し | (ひくれてみちとおし) Even in the last years of life you are still busy | 早い者勝ち | (はやいものがち) Who comes first to the mill ought to have the first grinding | * | 早寝、早起き、病知らず | (はやね、はやおき、やまいしらず) Early to bed and early rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise | * | 早起きは三文の徳 | (はやおきはさんもんのとく) The early bird catches the worm | * | 明日に紅顔あって、夕に白骨となる | (あしたにこうがんあって、ゆうべにはっこつとなる) Today a man, tomorrow none | * | 明日に道を聞けば、夕に死すとも可なり | (あしたにみちをきけば、ゆうべにしすともかなり) He who learns about the path in the morning can die in the evening | 明日の事を言えば、天井で鼠が笑う | (あすのことをいえば、てんじょうでねずみがわらう) Talk about the things of tomorrow and the mice will laugh | 明日は明日の風が吹く | (あしたはあしたのかぜがふく) Take no thought for the morrow | * | 時は金なり | (ときはかねなり) Time is money | * | 時移り、俗易る | (ときうつり、ぞくかわる) Other times, other manners | * | 暑さ忘れりゃ蔭忘れる | (あつさわすれりゃかげわすれる) Forget the heat and then forget the shade | 暖簾に腕押し | (のれんにうでおし) Like water off a duck's back | * | 月と鼈 | (つきとすっぽん) As different as night and day | * | 有るは無いに勝る | (あるはないにまさる) Anything is better than nothing | * | 有頂天 | (うちょうてん) To be in the seventh heaven | * | 朝三暮四 | (ちょうさんぼし) People prefer larger portions first | 朝三暮四 | (ちょうさんぼし) People prefer the larger portion first | 朝令暮改 | (ちょうれいぼかい) The morning's orders are changed in the evening | 朝飯前 | (あさめしまえ) A piece of cake | * | 朝飯前 | (あさめしまえ) As easy as pie | * | 本末転倒 | (ほんまつてんとう) To put the cart before the horse | * | 朱に交われば赤く成る | (しゅにまじわればあかくなる) Evil communications corrupt good manners (1Cor 15/33) | * | 果報は寝て待て | (かほうはねてまて) Everything comes to him who waits | * | 枯れ木も山の賑わい | (かれきもやまのぎわい) Better half an egg than an empty shell | * | 枯れ木も山の賑わい | (かれきもやまのぎわい) Half a loaf is better than no bread | * | 枯れ木も山の賑わい | (かれきもやまのぎわい) Better a lean jade than an empty halter | * | 柳に雪折れなし | (やなぎにゆきおれなし) Better to bend than break | * | 柳の下に何時も泥鰌はおらぬ | (やなぎのしたにいつもどじょうはおらぬ) A fox is not taken twice in the same snare | * | 桃李もの言わざれど自ら蹊を成す | (とうりものいわざれどのずからみちをなす) Good wine needs no bush | * | 案ずるより生むが易し | (あんずるよりうむがやすし) Things are not as black as they look | * | 梅干と友達は古いほど良い | (うめぼしとともだちはふるいほどよい) Old friends and old wine are best | * | 棒を以って棒に報いる | (ぼうをもってぼうにむくいる) An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (Ex 24/24) | * | 棚から牡丹餅 | (たなからぼたもち) You may gape long enough ere a bird fall into your mouth | * | 欠伸を一緒にすれば三日従兄弟 | (あくびをいっしょにすればみっかいとこ) Yawning is catching | * | 正直者が馬鹿を見る | (しょうじきものがばかをみる) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of all them (Ps 35) | * | 武士は食わねど高楊枝 | (ぶしはくわねどたかようじ) A samurai, even when he has not eaten, uses a toothpick (like a lord) | 歯に衣きせぬ | (はにきぬきせぬ) To call a spade a spade | * | 歳月人を待たず | (さいげつひとをまたず) Time and tide wait for no man | * | 歴史は繰り返す | (れきしはくりかえす) History repeats itself | * | 死にたる人は生ける鼠にだに及かず | (しにたるひとはいけるねずみにだにしかず) A living dog is better than a dead lion | * | 死にたる人は生ける鼠にだに及かず | (しにたるひとはいけるねずみにだにしかず) A living dog is better than a dead lion | * | 死人に口なし | (しんにんにくちなし) Dead men tell no tales | * | 毒にも薬にも成らぬ | (どくにもくすりにもならぬ) It is neither good nor harm | 毒を以って、毒を制す | (どくをもってどくをせいす) To set a thief to catch a thief | * | 毒を以って、毒を制す | (どうをもって、どくをせいす) To set a thief to catch a thief | * | 毒食わば皿まで | (どくくわらばさらまで) As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb | * | 氏より育ち | (うじよりそだち) Birth is much, but breeding is more | * | 江戸の敵を長崎で討つ | (えどのかたきをながさきでうつ) Take revenge at an unexpected place | 油断大敵 | (ゆだんたいてき) Security is the greatest enemy | * | 治に居て、乱を忘れず | (ちにいて、らんをわすれず) If you want peace, prepare for war | * | 治に居て、乱を忘れず | (ちにいて、らんをわすれず) If you want peace, prepare for war | * | 泣き面に蜂 | (なきつらにはち) Misfortunes never come alone | * | 泣き面に蜂 | (なきつらにはち) Of one ill come many | * | 浅瀬に仇浪 | (あさせにあだなみ) Empty barrels make the most noise | * | 海に千年、山に千年 | (うみにせんねん、やまにせんねん) An old fox | * | 海の物とも、山の物ともつかぬ | (うみのものとも、やまのものつかぬ) It is neither fish, flesh, nor fowl | * | 湯水の如く金を使う | (ゆみずのごとくかねをつかう) Spend money like water | * | 溺れる者は藁をも掴む | (おぼれるものはわらをもつかむ) A drowning man will clutch at a straw | * | 漁夫の利 | (ぎょふのり) Two dogs fight for a bone and the third runs away with it | * | 火に油を注ぐ | (ひにあぶらをそそぐ) To pour oil on the fire | * | 火の無い所に煙は立たぬ | (ひのないところにけむりはたたぬ) There is no smoke without fire | * | 火事場泥棒 | (かじばどろぼう) To fish in troubled waters | * | 点滴石を穿つ | (てんてきいしをうがつ) Constant dripping wears away the stone | * | 無常の風は時を選ばず | (むじょうのかぜはときをえらばず) Uncertainty does not choose a moment | 焼棒杭に火がつき易い | (やけぼっくいにひがつきやすい) Old love does not rust | * | 焼石に水 | (やけいしにみず) Water on a hot stone | 燕一羽で春にはならぬ | (つばめいちわではるにはならぬ) One swallow does not make a summer | * | 牛は牛づれ、馬は馬づれ | (うしはうしづれ、うまはうまづれ) Like loves like | * | 牛は牛づれ、馬は馬づれ | (うしはうしづれ、うまはうまづれ) Likeness causes liking | * | 牛は牛づれ、馬は馬づれ | (うしはうしづれ、うまはうまづれ) Birds of a feather flock together | * | 牛飲馬食 | (ぎゅういんばしょく) To eat like a pig | * | 物にわ時節 | (ものにわじせつ) Everything in due season | * | 犬も歩けば棒に当たる | (いぬもあるけばぼうにあたる) A blind man may sometimes hit the hare | * | 犬を三日飼えば三年恩を忘れぬ。猫は三年飼っても三日で恩を忘れる。 | (いぬをみっかかべさんねんおんをわすれぬ。ねこはさんねんかってもみっかでおんをわすれる。) Feed adog for three days and it is grateful for three years. Feed a cat for three years and it forgets after three days. | 犬骨折って鷹の餌食 | (いぬほねおってたかのえじき) One beats the bush and another catches the birds | * | 犯罪は引き合わないものだ | (はんざいはひきあわないものだ) Crime doesn't pay | * | 猫には九生 | (ねこにはきゅうせい) A cat has nine lives | * | 猫に小判 | (ねこにこばん) To cast pearls before swine | * | 猫も杓子も | (ねこもしゃくしも) Every Tom, Dick and Harry | * | 猫を被る | (ねこをかぶる) A wolf in sheep's clothing | * | 猿に烏帽子 | (さるにえぼし) An ape's an ape, though they be clad in silk or scarlet | * | 猿の尻笑い | (さるのしりわらい) The pot calls the kettle black | * | 猿も木から落ちる | (さるもきからおちる) It is a good horse that never stumbles | * | 瓜の蔓に茄子はならぬ | (うりのつるになすびはならぬ) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit (Matt. 7/18) | * | 瓜二つ | (うりふたつ) As like as two peas | * | 瓢箪で鯰を押える | (ひょうたんでなまずをおさえる) As slippery as an eel | * | 生き字引き | (いきじびき) A walking encyclopedia | * | 生き恥かくより、死ぬがまし | (いきはじかくより、しぬがまし) Better to die than live in shame | 生き馬の目を抜く | (いきうまのめをぬく) A very wide-awake and shrewd person | 生れ乍らの長老なし | (うまれながらのちょうろうなし) No-one is born a master | * | 生兵法は大怪我の元 | (なまびょうほうはおおけがのもと) A little learning is a dangerous thing | * | 男子の一言、金鉄の如し | (だんしのいちごん、きんてつのごとし) My word is my bond | * | 疑心暗鬼を生ず | (ぎしんあんきをしょうず) Fear magnifies objects | * | 痘痕も靨 | (あばたもえくぼ) Love covers many infirmities | * | 白を黒と言う | (しろをくろという) To talk black into white | * | 百年河清を待つ | (ひゃくねんかせいをまつ) To wait forever in vain | 百聞一見に如かず | (ひゃくぶんいっけんにしかず) Seeing is believing | * | 盗人を見て縄を綯う | (ぬすびとをみてなわをなう) It's too late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted | * | 盛年重ねて来たらず | (せいねんかさねてきたらず) Time past cannot be recalled | * | 目には目を、歯には歯を | (めにはめを、はにははを) An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (Ex 21/24) | * | 目は心の鏡 | (めはこころのかがみ) The eyes are the mirror of the soul | * | 目明き千人、盲千人 | (めあきせんにん、めくらせんにん) Some are wise and others are otherwise | * | 目糞鼻糞を笑う | (めくそはなくそをわらう) The pot calls the kettle black | * | 盲蛇に怖じず | (めくらへびにおじず) Fools rush in where angels fear to tread | * | 盲蛇に怖じず | (めくらへびにおじず) Fools rush in where angels fear to tread | * | 相手のない喧嘩は出来ぬ | (あいてのないけんかはできぬ) It takes two to make a quarrel | * | 知らぬは仏 | (しらぬはほとけ) He that knows nothing doubts nothing | * | 知る者は言わず、言う者は知らず | (しるものはいわず、いうものはしらず) Those who know do not say, those who say do not know | 知者は惑わず、勇者は恐れず | (ちしゃはまどわず、ゆうしゃはおそれず) A wise man does not lose his way, a brave man does not fear | 矯めるなら若木のうち | (ためるならわかぎのうち) The tree must be bent while it is young | * | 石の上にも三年 | (いしのうえにもさんねん) Perseverence overcomes all things | * | 砂上に楼閣を築く | (さじょうにろうかくをきずく) To build on sand | * | 破鍋に綴じ蓋 | (われなべにとじぶた) Every Jack must find his Jill | * | 破鍋に綴じ蓋 | (われなべにとじぶた) All shall be well, Jack shall have Jill | * | 破鍋に綴じ蓋 | (われなべにとじぶた) All shall be well, Jack shall have Jill | * | 禍も三年立てば用に立つ | (わざわいもさんねんたてばようにたつ) Every cloud has a silver lining | * | 禍も三年立てば用に立つ | (わざわいもさんねんたてばようにたつ) Cloudy mornings turn to clear afternoons | * | 空き腹に不味い物なし | (すきばらにまずいものなし) Hunger is the best sauce | * | 空涙を流す | (そらなみだをながす) To shed crocodile tears | * | 窮すれば濫す | (きゅうすればらんす) Necessity knows no law | * | 立つ鳥後を濁さず | (たつとりあとをにごさず) It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest | * | 笛吹けども汝等踊らず | (ふえふけどもなんじらおどらず) We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced (Mt 11/17) | * | 籠で水汲む | (かごでみずくむ) To draw water with a sieve | * | 精神一到何事か成らざらん | (せいしんいっとうなにごとかならざらん) Where there's a will, there's a way | * | 糠に釘 | (ぬかにくぎ) Useless effort | 約束は約束 | (やくそくはやくそく) A promise is a promise | * | 約束は約束 | (やくそくはやくそく) Promise is debt | * | 約束は約束 | (やくそくはやくそく) It is one thing to promise and another to keep | * | 累卵の危き | (るいらんのあやうき) To collapse like a house of cards | * | 絵に画いた餅 | (えにかいたもち) Pie in the sky | * | 縁は異なもの | (えんはいなもの) Marriages are made in heaven | * | 繁文縟礼 | (はんぶんじょくれい) Red tape | * | 美人に年なし | (びじんにとしなし) Beautiful women have no age | 群盲象を撫ず | (ぐんもうぞうをなず) A group of blind men feeling an elephant | 羹に懲りて、膾を吹く | (あつものにこりて、なますをふく) A burnt child dreads the fire | * | 羽根が生えたように売れる | (はねがはえたようにうれる) To sell like hot cakes | * | 習うより慣れよ | (ならうよりなれよ) Practise makes perfect | * | 習うより慣れよ | (ならうよりなれよ) Use makes mastery | * | 耳を掩うて、鈴を盗む | (みみをおうて、すずをぬすむ) The cat shuts its eyes while it steals cream | * | 背水の陣 | (はいすいのじん) To burn bridges behind them | * | 能ある鷹は爪を隠す | (のうあるたかはつめをかくす) The clever hawk hides its claws | * | 腹の皮が張れば、目の皮がたるむ | (はらのかわがはれば、めのかわがたるむ) A belly full of gluttony will never study willingly | * | 腹八分に医者いらず | (はらはちぶにいしゃいらず) Moderation is its own medicine | 臍を噛む | (ほぞをかむ) To bite one's nails | * | 臭い物に蓋 | (くさいものにふた) To put a lid on something that stinks | 船頭多くして船山に登る | (せんそうおおくしてふねやまにのぼる) Too many cooks spoil the broth | * | 船頭多くして船山に登る | (せんどうおおくしてふねやまにのぼる) One master in a house is enough | * | 花より団子 | (はなよりだんご) The belly is not filled with fair words | * | 花より団子 | (はなよりだんご) Function before form | * | 若い時は二度来ない | (わかいときはにどこない) We are only young once | * | 苦あれば楽あり | (くうあればらくあり) After rain comes fair weather | * | 苦は楽の種 | (くはらくのたね) No pains no gains | * | 蒔かぬ種は生えぬ | (まかぬたねははえぬ) Nothing comes from nothing | * | 蓼食う虫も好きずき | (たでくうむしもすきずき) There's no accounting for tastes | * | 薄氷を履むが如し | (はくひょうをふむがごとし) To trade on thin ice | 薔薇に棘あり | (ばらにとげあり) There is no rose without a thorn | * | 虎の威をかる狐 | (とらのいをかるきつね) As proud come as go before | * | 虎穴に入らずんば虎児を得ず | (こけつにいらずんばこじをえず) Nothing venture, nothing have | * | 虻蜂取らず | (あぶはちとらず) If you run after two hares, you will catch neither | * | 虻蜂取らず | (あぶはちとらず) If you run after two hares, you will catch neither | * | 蛇の道は蛇 | (じゃのみちはへび) A thief knows a thief, as a wolf knows a wolf | * | 蛙の子は蛙 | (かえるのこはかえる) Like father like son | * | 蛙の子は蛙 | (かえるのこはかえる) Like father, like son | * | 蛙の面に水 | (かえるのつらにみず) Like water off a duck's back | * | 蝦で鯛を釣る | (えびでかいをつる) To throw out a sprat to catch a mackerel | * | 蝸牛角上の争い | (かぎゅうかくじょうのあらそい) A storm in a teacup | * | 血は水よりも濃し | (ちはみずよりもこし) Blood is thicker than water | * | 衣ばかりで和尚はできぬ | (ころもばかりでおしょうはできぬ) The cowl does not make the monk | * | 衣食足りて、礼節を知る | (いしょくたりて、れいせつをしる) Well-fed, well-bred | * | 覆水盆に返らず | (ふくすいぼんにかえらず) It is no use crying over spilt milk | * | 見ぬ事清し | (みぬこときよし) What the eye doesn't see the heart doesn't grieve over | * | 親が親なら子も子 | (おやがおやならこもこ) Like father, like son | * | 親しき仲に礼儀あり | (したしきなかにもれいぎあり) Love your neighbour, yet pull not down your fence | * | 親の因果が子に報い | (おやのいんががこにむくい) The fathers have eaten a sour grape and the children's teeth are set on edge (Jr 31/29) | * | 触らぬ神に祟なし | (さわらぬかみにたたりなし) Wake not a sleeping lion | * | 言うは易く行うは難し | (いうはやすく、おこなうはかたし) Easier said than done | * | 言うわけ易く、行うは難し | (いうわけやすく、おこなうはかたし) Easier said than done | * | 話半分 | (はなしはんぶん) Take what he says with a grain of salt | * | 豆腐に鎹 | (とうふにかすがい) Useless effort | 豚に真珠 | (ぶたにしんじゅ) To cast pearls before swine | * | 負けるが勝ち | (まけるがかち) The wiser head gives in | * | 貧すれば鈍する | (ひんすればどんする) An empty sack cannot stand upright | * | 貧乏人の子沢山 | (びんぼうにんのこだくさん) The poor have a lot of childeren | 貧乏人の系図話 | (びんぼうにんのけいずばなし) A pauper tells only tales of his glorious ancestors | 貧乏怖いものなし | (びんぼうこわいものなし) Paupers have nothing to be afraid of | 貧乏暇なし | (びんぼうひまなし) The poor have no leisure | 貧者の一燈 | (ひんじゃのいっとう) The widow's mite (Mark 12:42) | * | 貰い物に苦情 | (もらいものにくじょう) Never look a gift horse in the mouth | * | 身から出た錆 | (みからでたさび) As you sow, so you reap (you shall mow) | * | 身ほど可愛い物は無い | (みほどかわいいものはない) Near is my shirt but nearer is my skin | * | 身ほど可愛い物は無い | (みほどかわいいものはない) The parson always christens his own child first | * | 身を捨ててこそ浮かぶ瀬もあれ | (みをすててこそうかぶせもあれ) Nothing stake, nothing draw | * | 転がる石には苔は生えぬ | (ころがるいしにはこけははえぬ) A rolling stone gathers no moss | * | 転ばぬ先の杖 | (ころばぬさきのつえ) Prevention is better than cure | * | 近くの坊さん偉くない | (ちかくのぼうさんえらくない) No man is hero to his valet | * | 逃した魚は大きい | (のがしたさかなはおおきい) The fish which you fail to catch is always big | 逢うは別れの始め | (あうはわかれのはじめ) To meet is the beginning of parting | 遅くとも、しないより増しである | (おそくとも、しないよりましである) Better late than never | * | 過ぎたらは猶及ばざるが如し | (すぎたらはなおおよばざるがごとし) Too much of one thing is good for nothing | * | 過ぎた事は水に流せ | (すぎたことはみずにながせ) Let bygones be bygones | * | 過ちては改むるに憚ること勿れ | (あやまちてはあらたむるにはばかることなかれ) It is never too late to mend | * | 道表相憐れむ | (どうびょうあいあわれむ) Brothers in suffering are mutually sympathetic | 遠くの親戚より近くの他人 | (とおくのしんせきよりちかくのたにん) A near neighbour is better than a far kinsman | * | 郷に入りては、郷に従え | (ごうにいりては、ごうにしたがえ) When in Rome, do as the Romans do | * | 郷に入りては、郷に従え | (ごうにいりては、ごうにしたがえ) When in Rome, do as the Romans do | * | 釈迦に説法 | (しゃかにせっぽう) Don't teach fishes to swim | * | 金が金を生む | (かねがかねをうむ) Money begets money | * | 針の筵に座る | (はりのむしろにすわる) To sit on pins and needles | * | 針小棒大 | (しんしょうぼうだい) To make a mountain out of a molehill | 鉄は熱いうちに打て | (てつはあついうちにうて) Strike while the iron is hot | * | 鍛冶は鍛冶屋 | (かじはかじや) Let the cobbler stick to his last | * | 長居は無用 | (ながいはむよう) Fish and guests smell in three days | * | 阿呆に取り合う馬鹿 | (あほうにとりあうばか) It is foolish to deal with a fool | 隣の花は赤い | (となりのはなはあかい) The grass is always greener on the otherside of the hedge | * | 隣の貧乏、鴨の味 | (たのりのびんぼう、かものあじ) The best joy is on the misfortune of others | 雄弁は銀、沈黙は金 | (ゆうべんはぎん、ちんもくはきん) Speech is silver, silence is golden | * | 雌鳥歌えば家滅ぶ | (めんどりうたえばいえほろぶ) It is a sad house where the hen crows louder than the cock | * | 雨が降って地固まる | (あめがふってじかたまる) After rain comes fair weather | * | 雨垂れ石を穿つ | (あまだれいしをうがつ) Constant dripping wears away the stone | * | 雲泥の差 | (うんでいのさ) As different as night and day | * | 預言者郷里に容れられず | (よげんしゃきょうりにいれられず) A prophet is hungry in his own country | * | 預言者郷里に容れられず | (よげんしゃきょうりにいれられず) A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country | * | 頭禿げても浮気はやまぬ | (あたまはげてもうわきはやまぬ) There's no fool like an old fool | * | 頭隠して、尻隠さず | (あたまかくして、しりかくさず) To assume an ostrich-like attitude | 類を以って集まる | (るいをもってあつまる) Like will to like | * | 風前の灯 | (ふうぜんのともしび) To hang by a thread | * | 飢えたる犬は棒を怖れず | (うえたるいぬはぼうをおそれず) Hunger drives the wulf out of the wood | * | 飢えたる者は食を選ばず | (うえたるものはしょくをあらばず) Better some of a pudding than none of a pie | * | 馬の耳に念仏 | (うまのみみにねんぶつ) To preach in the wilderness | * | 馬子にも衣裳 | (まごにもいしょう) Clothes make the man | * | 馬耳東風 | (ばじとうふう) To fall on deaf ears | 馬脚を露わす | (ばきゃくをあらわす) To show the cloven hoof | * | 馬鹿が有って利口が引き立つ | (ばかがあってりこうがひきたつ) Due to presence of fools wise people stand out | 馬鹿と坊主には勝てぬ | (ばかとぼうずにはかてぬ) People cannot resist fools and bonzes | 馬鹿と子供は正直 | (ばかとこどもはしょうじき) Children and fools tell the truth | * | 馬鹿と気違いはよけて通せ | (ばかときちがいはよけてとおせ) Make room for fools and lunatics | 馬鹿と鋏は使いよう | (ばかとはさみはつかいよう) Fools and scissors: according to the usage | 馬鹿な子程可愛い | (ばかなこほどかわいい) The more stupid the child the dearer it is (to its parents) | 馬鹿につける薬は無い | (ばかにつけるくすりはない) There is no salve for stupidity | 馬鹿の一つ覚え | (ばかのひとつおぼえ) The only capability of a fool | 馬鹿の大足、鈍間の小足 | (ばかのおおあし、のろまのこあし) The bug feet of a fool, the small feet of a dullard | 馬鹿の大食い | (ばかのおおぐい) The gluttony of a fool | 馬鹿の後知恵 | (ばかのあとじえ) It is easy to be wise after the event | 馬鹿の高笑い | (ばかのたかわらい) A loud laugh bespeaks a vacant mind | * | 馬鹿は死ななきゃ治らない | (ばかはしななきゃなおらない) A fool is a fool until he dies | 馬鹿程恐い者は無い | (ばかほどこわいものはない) Nothing is as frightening as a fool | 驕る者久しからず | (おごるものひさしからず) Pride goes before a fall | * | 鬼の中にも仏が居る | (おにのなかにもほとけがいる) The devil is not so black as he is painted | * | 鬼の居ぬ間に洗濯 | (おにのいぬまにせんたく) When the cat's away the mice will play | * | 鮑の貝の片思い | (あわびのかいのかたおもい) Unrequited love like an abalone shell | 鳥なき里の蝙蝠 | (とりなきさとのこうもり) In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king | * | 鳥なき里の蝙蝠 | (とりなきさとのこうもり) In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king | * | 鳶が鷹を生む | (とびがたかをうむ) A black hen lays a white egg | * | 鶏を割くに焉ぞ牛刀を用いん | (にわとりをさくにいずくんぞぎゅうとうをもちいん) To take a musket to kill a butterfly | * | 鶴の一声 | (つるのひとこえ) The last word | 鼻薬を聞かせる | (はなぐすりをきかせる) To grease somebody's palm | * | 1オンスの思慮は1ポンドもの機知に値する | (1おんすのしりょは1ぽんどものきちにあたいする) An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit | * | |
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