Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
海千山千 (うみせんやません) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
cunning and worldly-wise ; sly old fox
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
Describes a person who has been through many experiences and become shrewd, crafty, or hard to deceive. Often used with a slightly negative or wary tone.
うみ
千せん
山やま
千せん
の
相あい
手て
だ
から
、
気き
を
つけ
て
交こう
渉しょう
し
ない
と
騙だま
さ
れる
よ
。
He's a sly old fox, so be careful when negotiating or you'll be tricked.
Similar words 老ろう 獪かい 老獪 also means 'cunning' or 'crafty', but emphasizes slyness and wiliness, often with a more negative connotation. 海千山千 focuses on experience and worldliness leading to shrewdness.
世よ 慣な れる 世慣れる means 'to become worldly-wise' or 'sophisticated', but as a verb it describes the process or state of being accustomed to society, without the strong implication of craftiness.
Etymology A yojijukugo literally meaning 'a thousand (years) in the sea, a thousand (years) in the mountains', suggesting a snake that has lived long in both environments and become cunning. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a well-known idiom for a worldly-wise, crafty person.
