Kabe ni Mimi Ari Shoji ni Me Ari
Today, I will talk about the Japanese proverb “kabe ni mimi ari shoji ni me ari.”
壁に耳あり障子に目あり
This proverb expresses that secret things or gossips are prone to leak.
今日は日本のことわざ「壁に耳あり障子に目あり」を紹介します。
The literal meaning of “kabe ni mimi ari” is “there are ears on walls,” and it indicates that someone might listen to anytime while placing his/her ear against a wall.
このことわざは、隠し事や陰口は漏れやすいということを表しています。
The literal meaning of “shoji ni me ari” is “there are eyes on shoji (Japanese paper sliding doors),” and it indicates that someone might peep inside through the door.
「壁に耳あり」は、常に誰かが壁に耳をあてて聞いているかもしれない、ということです。
That is to say, this proverb says that you have no idea when and who listen/see your talks and acts, so you have to be careful whatever you do.
「障子に目あり」は、誰かが障子に穴をあけて覗き見しているかもしれない、ということです。
By the way, I heard that there is almost the same proverb in English “Walls have ears.”
すなわち、いつ誰が見聞きしているかわからないので、注意しなさいという戒めのことわざです。
