Monday, June 23, 2008

English proverbs

Hi everyone, today I will show you four Japanese proverbs
(日本のことわざ) and how to say them in English.

The first one is great because it is EXACTLY the same in Japanese and in English. I hear it is probably a translation from English which is why they are the same ^^

一石二鳥 isseki nichō

Literally: one stone, two birds
Meaning: Killing two birds with one stone; Doing 2 things with one action.

言わぬが花 Iwanu ga hana

Literally: Not-speaking is the flower.
Meaning: Silence is golden; some things are better left unsaid.

十人十色 jūnin toiro

Literally: ten persons, ten colors
Meaning: To each his own.

水に流す mizu ni nagasu

Literally: let flow in the water
Meaning: I like "Forgive and forget" but "It's water under the bridge" is closer to the Japanese I think.

If you want more information about Japanese proverbs in English check out:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/5623/kotowaza.html

and

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Japanese_proverbs

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