[For Seniors] Proverb Quiz with Animal Names

Even 〇〇 will run into a stick if it walks (i.e., if 〇〇 moves around, it will encounter unexpected trouble).

This proverb also appears in karuta: “Even a dog, if it walks, will bump into a stick.” If you think about it, you’ve probably never actually seen a dog out for a walk run into a stick.

In other words, the proverb implies that if a dog keeps walking, it will encounter something unexpected—almost miraculous.

There are various interpretations of what that “something” is: some say it’s good luck, others say it’s misfortune.

In recent years, using it with either meaning has become common.

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Pearls before swine

“Pearls before 〇〇” is a proverb that describes someone who doesn’t understand the value of what they have or what they are wearing.

The correct word for 〇〇 is “swine.” Indeed, even if you give pearls to a pig, it can’t appreciate their value.

At this point, you might wonder why it’s a pig.

After all, wouldn’t it be the same with a dog or a bird? In fact, this proverb comes from a quotation from the Bible, and in the Bible, pigs are used to represent something unpleasant or contemptible.

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Age before beauty

The proverb “X no kō yori toshi no kō” is used in the sense that the wisdom of those who have aged is great.

The correct X is “kame” (turtle).

In other words, “kame no kō” refers to a turtle’s shell.

It may seem like a pun at first glance, but it actually carries a proper comparison to the turtle’s shell.

Turtles are said to live for ten thousand years.

Compared to that, human lifespans are short, yet it’s said that older people still possess great wisdom.

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Buddhist prayers to a cow’s ear

Have you ever had the experience where no matter what you say, the other person just doesn’t get it? That’s when you can use the proverb “nenbutsu in a horse’s ear.” The missing word is “horse”: just as a horse can’t understand a Buddhist chant (nenbutsu), it’s used to mean that what you’re saying isn’t being understood.

By the way, it’s often thought to be the same as “bajitōfū” (literally, “east wind in a horse’s ear”), but there’s actually a difference.

The latter doesn’t mean they can’t understand; it describes someone who refuses to listen.

If you get the chance, try using them differently depending on the situation.

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Counting the skins of a 〇〇 you haven’t caught

There’s also a slightly scary proverb: “Counting the profit from the skin of a raccoon you haven’t caught.” The word that goes in the blank is “tanuki” (raccoon dog).

Before the Edo period, tanuki hides were apparently traded at high prices because they had many uses.

The proverb is said to have originated when a hunter started thinking, “What should I buy with the money from catching lots of them?” and began calculating the price of the hides of tanuki he hadn’t even caught.

In other words, “kawazanyō” (skin-calculation) means calculating the money from selling the hide.

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Adding insult to injury

On top of tripping and breaking a vase, I sprained my ankle.

In situations where misfortunes occur one after another like this, a commonly used proverb is “naki-tsura ni hachi” (a bee on a tear-streaked face).

The word that goes in the blank is “bee.” In the proverb, the misfortune depicted is only being stung by a bee, right? However, since the person is already crying, we can infer that other unfortunate things have happened too.

There’s also an interpretation that a face swollen from crying swells even more after being stung by a bee.

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A duck comes carrying green onions on its back.

One expression that makes me feel a little sorry is the proverb “a duck comes carrying green onions.” The word that goes in the blank is “duck.” Ducks have long been cherished as ingredients for duck hot pot.

Because of that, people started saying, “Wouldn’t it be nice if a duck came carrying the green onions for the dish?” to describe an unbelievably favorable turn of events.

In recent years, the proverb is sometimes shortened to “kamo-negi.” By the way, in the United States, people might say “a turkey showing up for Thanksgiving.” It’s interesting to see the cultural differences.

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