渇に臨みて井を掘る · godan verb (-ru)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 渇に臨みて井を掘る | 渇に臨みて井を掘らない |
| Polite | 渇に臨みて井を掘ります | 渇に臨みて井を掘りません |
| Past polite | 渇に臨みて井を掘りました | 渇に臨みて井を掘りませんでした |
| Past | 渇に臨みて井を掘った | 渇に臨みて井を掘らなかった |
| Te-form | 渇に臨みて井を掘って | 渇に臨みて井を掘らないで |
| Desire | 渇に臨みて井を掘りたい | 渇に臨みて井を掘りたくない |
| Potential | 渇に臨みて井を掘れる | 渇に臨みて井を掘れない |
| Passive | 渇に臨みて井を掘られる | 渇に臨みて井を掘られない |
| Causative | 渇に臨みて井を掘らせる | 渇に臨みて井を掘らせない |
| Causative passive | 渇に臨みて井を掘らせられるalso 渇に臨みて井を掘らされる | 渇に臨みて井を掘らせられないalso 渇に臨みて井を掘らされない |
| Volitional | 渇に臨みて井を掘ろう | |
| Polite volitional | 渇に臨みて井を掘りましょう | |
| Imperative | 渇に臨みて井を掘れ | 渇に臨みて井を掘るな |
| Conditional | 渇に臨みて井を掘れば | 渇に臨みて井を掘らなければ |
| Tara conditional | 渇に臨みて井を掘ったら | 渇に臨みて井を掘らなかったら |
fail to prepare in time; not dig a well until one is thirsty
A classical proverb warning against procrastination: one should prepare before a need arises. The literal meaning is 'to dig a well when one is thirsty.' Often used to criticize lack of foresight.
It's too late to dig a well when you're already thirsty.
He's always doing things like digging a well only after he gets thirsty.