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鉄は熱いうちに打て (tetsuhaatsuiuchiniute) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

鉄てつは熱あついうちに打うて

Meanings

1

strike while the iron is hot

Proverb meaning one should act while conditions are favorable. Equivalent to the English saying.

チャンスが来きたら、鉄てつは熱あついうちに打うてだ。
When an opportunity comes, strike while the iron is hot.

Kanji

鉄iron
熱heat, temperature, fever
打strike, hit, knock

Etymology

A direct translation of the English proverb 'strike while the iron is hot,' likely introduced during the Meiji period. The expression uses the imagery of a blacksmith shaping iron while it is still malleable.