Translation guide
The idea that a bad experience makes you cautious about similar situations in the future. In Japanese, this is expressed through proverbs, set phrases, and natural explanations.
Express the idea that a past failure or bad experience makes one wary of trying again.
A classical proverb literally meaning 'having been burned by hot soup, one blows on cold salad.' It perfectly captures the sentiment of 'once bitten, twice shy.'
After failing in his previous business, he's cautious about new investments—truly a case of once bitten, twice shy.
A proverb meaning 'bitten by a snake, one fears a rotten rope.' Similar imagery to the English expression.
詐欺に遭ってから、彼はどんな小さな怪しい話にも怖がる。蛇に噛まれて朽ち縄に怖じるというやつだ。
After being scammed, he's afraid of even the slightest suspicious story. It's a case of once bitten, twice shy.
Explain the feeling in everyday conversation without using a proverb.
A natural way to say 'because I've done ~ before, I'll be careful this time.' Adaptable to many situations.
前に騙されたことがあるから、今度は慎重になるよ。
I've been tricked before, so I'll be careful this time.
Literally 'I had a painful experience once, so I've learned my lesson.' Conveys the idea of being shy after a bad experience.
一度痛い目に遭ったから、もう懲りたよ。同じことはしない。
I've been burned once, so I've learned my lesson. I won't do the same thing again.
Means 'it's become a trauma.' Commonly used in casual speech to indicate a lasting fear from a past experience.
あの事故以来、車に乗るのがトラウマになっている。
Since that accident, I've been traumatized about riding in cars.
Describe the concept in a more formal or explanatory manner.
A formal way to say 'learn from past failures and avoid repeating the same mistakes.'
過去の失敗から学び、同じ過ちを繰り返さないようにすることが重要だ。
It's important to learn from past failures and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
The proverbs 羹に懲りて膾を吹く and 蛇に噛まれて朽ち縄に怖じる are quite literary and may sound old-fashioned in casual conversation. They are best suited for writing or formal speech. In everyday talk, it's more natural to explain the feeling directly, as shown in the casual options.
Both proverbs convey the same idea, but 羹に懲りて膾を吹く is more commonly recognized. 蛇に噛まれて朽ち縄に怖じる is less frequent and may not be understood by all speakers.