Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

足るを知る (たるをしる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

足たるを知しる

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ru)

know when one has enough; be content with one's lot

idiomatic expression

Proverbial expression emphasizing contentment and knowing one's limits; often associated with the idea of 'enough is enough'.

足たるを知しる者ものは富とむ。
He who knows he has enough is rich.
彼かれは足たるを知しる心こころを

持も

っ

て

いる

。

He has a mindset of being content with what he has.

Written forms

足たるを知しる
Standard kanji form of the idiomatic expression.
たるを知しる
Kana spelling is sometimes used for clarity or stylistic reasons.

Kanji

足leg, foot, be sufficient
知know, wisdom

Similar words

足たりる
足りる is the modern verb 'to be enough/sufficient', while 足る is its classical form used in this fixed expression.
満まん足ぞく
満足 is a general noun/adjective for 'satisfaction', whereas 足るを知る is a proverbial phrase about knowing one's limits.

Etymology

From classical Japanese; 足る is the classical equivalent of modern 足りる (to be enough). The phrase is often traced to the teachings of Laozi or Zen philosophy, emphasizing contentment.