Kotowaza 2: Japanese Proverbs

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ISSEKI NICHO 1 ROCK 2 BIRDS

Kotowaza are Japanese proverbs. They help convey more meaning in a conversation. Continue reading below for some interesting facts about using kotowaza.

To say, "To kill 2 birds with one stone" in Japanese, use the phrase

Isseki Nicho

Isseki nicho

To kill 2 birds with 1 stone

Isseki nicho is a symbolic reference to indicate the extreme situation of favourable results beyond one's expectation... Even killing one bird takes a lot of effort with just one throw of astone, since birds are matched with superior instincts and are naturally equipped with skills of self-preservation.

Used carefully, this kotowaza can be a powerful language ally that is impressive to native Japanese ears. Try using this phrase when you get the chance and impress your Japanese friends.

Use this phrase when you want to communicate that multitasking is a "good thing" in your book. Killing two birds with one stone or isseki nicho bears the same meaning in both Japanese and English. So anytime you can get 2 for one, that will also be isseki nicho

When a kotowaza is used by foreigners or speakers of Japansese as a foreign language appropriately it has magical word power that isn't available with just any verb or noun combination. Since kotowaza are very old and so well known, when a foreigner uses a kotowaza appropriately, it is as if that person is wise for saying it. Try it!

i sseki ni cho - breakdown
1 seki 2 cho
seki - stone
cho - bird

i is the stem of the number ichi, or 1
seki is another reading for the kanji for stone of ishi (rock)
so 1 stone is isseki
ni is the number 2
cho is another reading for the kanji for tori or bird

As always,
Ganbatte Ne!
Do Your Best!
Makurasuki

Japanese Proverbs and Sayings

Japanese Proverbs and Sayings

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Kotowaza Videos on YouTube

Take a look at some videos about kotowaza

kotowaza - proverb, a wise saying, murphy's law on occasion
Japanese Kotowaza: Telepathy
by thejapanshop | video info

29 ratings | 8,247 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Please tell me a good proverb!

If you know a proverb, lets have it.

Write your favorite cultural proverb so others can learn from its' wisdom.

  • Micke_chune Jul 17, 2010 @ 3:48 pm | delete
    Nice post! you did it good. I look forward to future post.
    Learning a new language is more than just having the ability to speak a few words in a conversation. There are many language courses that are really good. Also I had some ideas while making this, so let me know what you think!!

    Thanks for sharing,

    Reference:
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