expression
a merchant claims to suffer losses but eventually amasses a fortune
Proverb meaning that a merchant who appears to be losing money is actually building long-term wealth; used to describe business acumen or the hidden profitability of trade.
「商人は損していつか倉が建つ」というから、今は赤字でも将来はわからない。
As the saying goes, 'a merchant claims to suffer losses but eventually amasses a fortune,' so even if we're in the red now, the future is uncertain.
A traditional Japanese proverb; the exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects the mercantile wisdom of the Edo period.