商人あきんどは損そんしていつか倉くらが建たつ

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.

• 「商人あきんどは損そんしていつか倉くらが建たつ」というから、今いまは赤あか字じでも将しょう来らいはわからない。

  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.