Translation guide
A short, well-known saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice.
To refer to a traditional saying that gives advice or states a general truth.
The standard word for 'proverb'. Used for traditional sayings like 'A stitch in time saves nine'.
'Haste makes waste' is a famous proverb.
Kanji form of ことわざ, more common in formal writing.
Please explain the meaning of this proverb.
Refers to a maxim or aphorism, often more philosophical or formal than ことわざ.
He quoted a famous maxim in his speech.
A 'golden saying' or wise maxim, often with a moral or practical lesson. Less common in daily speech.
My grandmother often recited old golden sayings.
To talk about proverbs as a category, or a book of proverbs.
To refer to the Book of Proverbs in the Bible.
The standard Japanese name for the biblical Book of Proverbs.
The Book of Proverbs contains many teachings about wisdom.
ことわざ are traditional, often folksy sayings passed down orally (e.g., 猿も木から落ちる 'Even monkeys fall from trees'). 格言 are more formal, often attributed to a specific person or text, and carry a philosophical or moral weight (e.g., 時は金なり 'Time is money'). In everyday conversation, ことわざ is the safer choice.
While 諺 is the kanji for ことわざ, it is rarely used in casual contexts. Stick to hiragana ことわざ unless writing a formal essay or academic paper.