General Wisdom & Life Philosophy
* 七転び八起き (Nanakorobi yaoki) - Literally "fall seven times, get up eight". This means to never give up, to persevere even in the face of repeated failures.
* 石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo san nen) - Literally "Even on a stone, three years". This means that with enough perseverance, even the most difficult task can be accomplished.
* 急がば回れ (Isogaba maware) - Literally "If you hurry, go around". This emphasizes the importance of taking the long way around for a better outcome, rather than rushing and making mistakes.
* 塵も積もれば山となる (Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru) - Literally "Even dust, if accumulated, becomes a mountain". This emphasizes the power of consistent effort and the importance of small steps towards a larger goal.
* 蛙の子は蛙 (Kaeru no ko wa kaeru) - Literally "A frog's child is a frog". This means "like father, like son", highlighting the influence of genetics and upbringing.
* 出る杭は打たれる (Deru kui wa utareru) - Literally "A nail that sticks out gets hammered down". This signifies that people who are different or stand out are often criticized or ostracized.
Social Etiquette & Relationships
* 百聞は一見にしかず (Hyakumon wa ikken ni shikazu) - Literally "A hundred hearings are not as good as one seeing". This emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience over hearsay.
* 郷に入れば郷に従え (Gō ni ireba gō ni shitagae) - Literally "When you enter a village, follow the village's customs". This means to adapt to the customs and norms of the place you are in.
* 人事を尽くして天命を待つ (Jinji o tsukushite tenmei o matsu) - Literally "Do what you can, then wait for fate". This emphasizes the importance of doing your best and then accepting what happens.
* 腹を割って話す (Hara o watte hanasu) - Literally "To speak with your stomach open". This means to be completely honest and open with someone.
* 縁は深い (En wa fukai) - Literally "The connection is deep". This indicates a strong and lasting bond between people.
Proverbial Expressions
* 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai) - Literally "I need even a cat's paw". This means that you are so busy you need any help you can get, even the most insignificant.
* 鬼に金棒 (Oni ni kanabō) - Literally "A demon with a club". This describes someone who is extremely powerful and invincible.
* 雨降って地固まる (Ame futte ji katamaru) - Literally "After the rain, the earth hardens". This means that difficulties and challenges can ultimately make you stronger.
* 猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru) - Literally "Even monkeys fall from trees". This means that everyone makes mistakes, even the most skilled or experienced.
Note: These are just a few examples, and there are many other interesting and insightful Japanese sayings.
It's important to understand the context and nuances of these sayings, as they can have multiple meanings depending on the situation.