Proverbs are an integral part of Japanese language learning as they provide insight into the culture and traditional wisdom. These short, concise phrases hold deeper meanings that can be applied to various situations in life. In this exercise, you will practice fill in the blank exercises for proverbs in Japanese grammar, which will enrich your understanding of the Japanese language and help you better express yourself.
Exercise 1: Japanese Proverbs – Fill in the Blank
1. *石橋*を叩いて渡る。(thoroughly)
2. 噓から出た誠 (truth comes out of *a lie*).
3. 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず (those chasing *two rabbits* catch none).
4. 注意するは事故のもと (caution is the *key* to safety).
5. 川向こうの火事 (a fire across the *river*).
6. 負けるが勝ち (losing is *winning*).
7. 泣く子と地頭には勝てない (you can’t win against a *crying child* and a local boss).
8. 案ずるより生むが易し (giving birth is easier than *worrying* about it).
9. 見ぬが花 (unseen flowers are *prettier*).
10. 七転び八起き (fall seven times, *stand* up eight).
11. 十人十色 (different *ten people*, color).
12. 猿も木から落ちる (even monkeys *fall* from trees).
13. 知らぬが仏 (ignorance is *bliss*).
14. 縁は異なもの味なもの (bonds are *a strange* and mysterious thing).
15. 親の心子の知らず (parents’ hearts children *do not know*).
2. 噓から出た誠 (truth comes out of *a lie*).
3. 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず (those chasing *two rabbits* catch none).
4. 注意するは事故のもと (caution is the *key* to safety).
5. 川向こうの火事 (a fire across the *river*).
6. 負けるが勝ち (losing is *winning*).
7. 泣く子と地頭には勝てない (you can’t win against a *crying child* and a local boss).
8. 案ずるより生むが易し (giving birth is easier than *worrying* about it).
9. 見ぬが花 (unseen flowers are *prettier*).
10. 七転び八起き (fall seven times, *stand* up eight).
11. 十人十色 (different *ten people*, color).
12. 猿も木から落ちる (even monkeys *fall* from trees).
13. 知らぬが仏 (ignorance is *bliss*).
14. 縁は異なもの味なもの (bonds are *a strange* and mysterious thing).
15. 親の心子の知らず (parents’ hearts children *do not know*).
Exercise 2: Japanese Proverbs – Fill in the Blank
1. 釘が出る (a hidden *dissatisfaction*).
2. 客に出て行く弁当 (a lunch box that *goes* to a guest).
3. 鳥のように骨が折れる (bones break like a *bird*).
4. 情けは人のためならず (*sympathy* is not for one’s own sake).
5. 出る杭は打たれる (the stake that sticks out gets *hammered* down).
6. 寄らば大樹の陰 (take *shelter* under a tall tree).
7. 枯れ木も山のにぎわい (even a dead tree *adds* to the mountain’s beauty).
8. 猫に鰹節 (bonito flakes for a *cat*).
9. 起きて半畳、寝て一畳 (use half a tatami mat *when awake*, one when asleep).
10. 小便の準備をしてから腹立て (empty your *bladder* before getting angry).
11. 他人の薬は自分に効かない (another person’s medicine *doesn’t work* for oneself).
12. 知り合いより親しいが犬 (a dog is *closer* than an acquaintance).
13. 地獄の沙汰も金次第 (everything depends on *money*, even in hell).
14. 竹槍もち一つ (a single bamboo *spear*).
15. 似たもの同士でくっつく (similar things *stick* together).
2. 客に出て行く弁当 (a lunch box that *goes* to a guest).
3. 鳥のように骨が折れる (bones break like a *bird*).
4. 情けは人のためならず (*sympathy* is not for one’s own sake).
5. 出る杭は打たれる (the stake that sticks out gets *hammered* down).
6. 寄らば大樹の陰 (take *shelter* under a tall tree).
7. 枯れ木も山のにぎわい (even a dead tree *adds* to the mountain’s beauty).
8. 猫に鰹節 (bonito flakes for a *cat*).
9. 起きて半畳、寝て一畳 (use half a tatami mat *when awake*, one when asleep).
10. 小便の準備をしてから腹立て (empty your *bladder* before getting angry).
11. 他人の薬は自分に効かない (another person’s medicine *doesn’t work* for oneself).
12. 知り合いより親しいが犬 (a dog is *closer* than an acquaintance).
13. 地獄の沙汰も金次第 (everything depends on *money*, even in hell).
14. 竹槍もち一つ (a single bamboo *spear*).
15. 似たもの同士でくっつく (similar things *stick* together).
