Proverbs & idioms

Japanese proverbs (ことわざ), four-character idioms (四字熟語), and idioms — from JMdict.

• 雉も鳴かずば撃たれまいきじもなかずばうたれまいavoiding unnecessary talk can prevent disaster falling on one; there is safety in silence; the pheasant would not be shot but for its cries
• 雨垂れ石を穿つあまだれいしをうがつslow but steady wins the race; constant effort will result in success; constant dripping wears away a stone
• 雪隠で饅頭せんちでまんじゅうif you are hungry, where you eat doesn't matter; manjū in the toilet; hiding something good for oneself alone
• 風邪は万病の元かぜはまんびょうのもとa cold can lead to all sorts of illnesses
• 飛ぶ鳥跡を濁さずとぶとりあとをにごさずit is simply common courtesy to clean up after yourself; a bird does not foul the nest it is about to leave; on leaving a place, one should see that all is in good order
• 餅は餅屋もちはもちやevery man knows his own business best; one should go to specialists for the best results; for rice cakes, (go to) the rice cake shop