[For Elementary School Students] A Four-Choice Proverb Quiz Recommended for Kids

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The Japanese proverb “Ishi no ue nimo sannen” literally means “Even on a stone, sit for three years,” and conveys the idea that once you start something, you should stick with it for at least three years. Whether it’s a hobby or a job, there are times when things don’t go well and you feel it doesn’t suit you. Even so, if you keep at it with the belief that perseverance leads to success, you’ll produce some kind of result. It’s a saying to remember when you feel like your spirit is about to break.

oni; demon; ogre; spirit (depending on context)

The proverb “oni ni kanabō” means that someone who is already strong becomes even more powerful by gaining a weapon or advantage. Indeed, if a demon came at you wielding an iron club, it’s hard to imagine a human could win. There are similar expressions with the same nuance, such as “tora ni tsubasa” (wings on a tiger), “Benkei ni naginata” (a halberd for Benkei), and “kakeuma ni muchi” (a whip for a running horse). Learning them together will broaden your vocabulary.

good

The proverb “make hay while the sun shines” (literally, “good deeds should be done without delay”) means that once you judge something to be good, you should act on it immediately. It’s a phrase that reflects decisiveness and initiative, and it’s a very important lesson in both work and study. You might feel it conflicts with “more haste, less speed,” but that saying urges caution rather than simply taking the shortest path. So, think in a way that leads to better results: act quickly when it’s good to do so, yet, as in “more haste, less speed,” proceed prudently.

like; to like; fond of

The proverb “Suki koso mono no jouzu nare” means that if you truly love something, you’ll improve at it quickly. When people are interested in something, they take initiative, practice or study without feeling it’s a burden, and time seems to fly by. It teaches us that liking something—more than talent or innate sense—is the most important and valuable factor.

Travel

If you truly love your child, don’t spoil them—let them experience the harshness of the world. This is the meaning of the proverb “Kawaii ko ni wa tabi o saseyo,” literally, “Send a beloved child on a journey.” It carries the message: if parents do everything in advance for their child, the child won’t grow, so be careful. There is a similar saying, “Wakai toki no kurō wa katte demo seyo” (“Endure hardships while you’re young,” or “Even pay to experience hardship when you’re young”), so be careful not to confuse the two.

mountain

The proverb “Even dust, when piled up, becomes a mountain” means that no matter how small the efforts, given time they can add up to great results. The lesson that continuing to do the same thing builds the foundation of anything helps put the brakes on the urge to quit when things stop going well. It’s a saying I especially want those who are currently working on something and feeling stuck to remember.

regret

The proverb “Regret does not come first” (literally, “Regret doesn’t come before”) means that once something has already happened, it’s too late to undo it. It teaches us that if we act on impulse without thinking ahead, it will be too late once things become irreversible. Keeping this proverb in mind, let’s make a habit of thinking carefully and acting cautiously, especially about the things we don’t want to regret.