61. 棚からぼたもち
Tana kara botan mochi
- English Translation: Sweet rice cakes fall from the shelf.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Luck may sometimes bring unexpected rewards.
62. 楽あれば苦あり
Raku areba ku ari
- English Translation: With ease comes hardship.
- Paired Proverb: Every rose has its thorn.
- Explanation: Pleasant times are often accompanied by difficulties.
63. 水と油
Mizu to abura
- English Translation: Like water and oil.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Two things that do not mix at all.
64. 泣きっ面にはち
Nakittsura ni wa chi
- English Translation: When you’re already down, misfortune strikes.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Misery often attracts additional troubles.
65. 海老で鯛を釣る
Ebi de tai o tsuru
- English Translation: Use a shrimp to catch a sea bream.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: A small investment or effort can yield a big reward.
66. 渡りに船
Watari ni fune
- English Translation: A ship appears when you need it most.
- Paired Proverb: A blessing in disguise.
- Explanation: Timely help can come when you’re in trouble.
67. 渡る世間に鬼はなし
Wataru seken ni oni wa nashi
- English Translation: There are no demons in the world.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Despite hardships, most people are kind and helpful.
68. 塵も積もれば山となる
Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru
- English Translation: Even dust, when piled up, becomes a mountain.
- Paired Proverb: Many a little makes a mickle.
- Explanation: Small efforts accumulated over time lead to significant results.
69. 漁夫の利
Gyofu no ri
- English Translation: The fisherman’s profit.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: When two parties conflict, a third party may benefit unexpectedly.
70. 火のない所に煙は立たぬ
Hi no nai tokoro ni kemuri wa tatanu
- English Translation: Where there’s no fire, there’s no smoke.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Rumors usually have a basis in fact.
71. 灯台下暗し
Tōdai moto kurashi
- English Translation: It is darkest under the lighthouse.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: The most obvious things are often overlooked.
72. 災い転じて福となす
Wazawai tenjite fuku to nasu
- English Translation: Turn misfortune into fortune.
- Paired Proverb: Every cloud has a silver lining.
- Explanation: Negative events can lead to positive outcomes if handled well.
73. 待てば海路の日和あり
Mateba kairō no hiyori ari
- English Translation: Patience brings a favorable tide.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Waiting patiently often results in the right opportunity.
74. 焼け石に水
Yakeishi ni mizu
- English Translation: Water on a hot stone does little.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Some problems are too big for minor efforts to solve.
75. 犬も歩けば棒に当たる
Inu mo arukeba bō ni ataru
- English Translation: Even a dog will bump into a stick if it walks.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Taking action may lead to unexpected encounters, sometimes with unforeseen benefits—or troubles.
76. 犬猿の仲
Ken’en no naka
- English Translation: As incompatible as dogs and monkeys.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Describes relationships marked by constant conflict or incompatibility.
77. 猫に小判
Neko ni koban
- English Translation: Giving a gold coin to a cat.
- Paired Proverb: Pearls before swine.
- Explanation: Offering something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate its worth.
78. 猫の手も借りたい
Neko no te mo karitai
- English Translation: So busy I’d even borrow a cat’s paw.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Being extremely busy and in need of any available help.
79. 捕らぬ狸の皮算用
Toranu tanuki no kawazanyō
- English Translation: Don’t count your tanuki skin before you catch it.
- Paired Proverb: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
- Explanation: Don’t make plans based on something that may not happen.
80. 猿も木から落ちる
Saru mo ki kara ochiru
- English Translation: Even monkeys fall from trees.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Even experts make mistakes sometimes.
81. 病は気から
Yamai wa ki kara
- English Translation: Illness begins in the mind.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: One’s mental state greatly affects physical health.
82. 百害あって一利なし
Hyakugai atte ichiri nashi
- English Translation: One benefit does not outweigh a hundred harms.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Some actions bring more harm than good.
83. 百聞は一見に如かず
Hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu
- English Translation: Seeing is believing.
- Paired Proverb: A picture is worth a thousand words.
- Explanation: Direct experience is far more informative than hearsay.
84. 目から鱗が落ちる
Me kara uroko ga ochiru
- English Translation: Scales fall from the eyes.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: A sudden moment of realization that changes one’s perspective.
85. 目は口ほどにものを言う
Me wa kuchi hodo ni mono o iu
- English Translation: The eyes speak louder than words.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Nonverbal cues can express more than words ever could.
86. 知らぬが仏
Shiranu ga hotoke
- English Translation: Not knowing is Buddha-like.
- Paired Proverb: Ignorance is bliss.
- Explanation: Sometimes it’s better not to know the harsh truth.
87. 短気は損気
Tanki wa sonki
- English Translation: Short temper brings loss.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Quick anger can lead to unfavorable outcomes.
88. 石の上にも三年
Ishi no ue ni mo sannen
- English Translation: Three years on a cold stone.
- Paired Proverb: Patience is a virtue.
- Explanation: Enduring hardship for a long time eventually brings rewards.
89. 石橋を叩いて渡る
Ishibashi o tataite wataru
- English Translation: Tap on a stone bridge before crossing.
- Paired Proverb: Look before you leap.
- Explanation: Always double-check before taking action to ensure safety.
90. 虎の威を借る狐
Tora no i o karu kitsune
- English Translation: A fox borrowing the authority of a tiger.
- Paired Proverb: (None)
- Explanation: Someone who uses another’s power to boost their own standing.
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