問とうは一いっ旦たんの恥はじ、問とわぬは末まつ代だいの恥はじ

expression

better to ask and be embarrassed than not ask and never know

Proverb encouraging asking questions even if it causes momentary embarrassment, because remaining ignorant leads to lasting shame.

• 「問とうは一いっ旦たんの恥はじ、問とわぬは末まつ代だいの恥はじ」というから、わからないことはすぐに聞きいたほうがいい。

  They say 'better to ask and be embarrassed than not ask and never know,' so you should ask right away if you don't understand something.