【No. 1235】Nou aru Taka wa Tsume wo Kakusu (能ある鷹は爪を隠す - He who Knows most Speaks least)
May 6, 2018 16:01
Today I would like to introduce you to the popular Japanese proverb, nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu (能ある鷹は爪を隠す).
Nou aru (能ある) means "capable," taka (鷹) means "hawk," tsume (爪) means "nail/claw," and kakusu (隠す) means "to hide something."
That is to say, the literal meaning of this proverb is "A capable hawk hides the claws."
In fact, a capable hawk hides the sharp claws so that prey doesn't understand the situation.
On the other hand, a capable person doesn't brag or brandish the ability lightly.
This proverb is a kind of compliments, which likens such a capable person to a capable hawk.
Nou aru (能ある) means "capable," taka (鷹) means "hawk," tsume (爪) means "nail/claw," and kakusu (隠す) means "to hide something."
That is to say, the literal meaning of this proverb is "A capable hawk hides the claws."
In fact, a capable hawk hides the sharp claws so that prey doesn't understand the situation.
On the other hand, a capable person doesn't brag or brandish the ability lightly.
This proverb is a kind of compliments, which likens such a capable person to a capable hawk.
能ある鷹は爪を隠す
今日は「爪」を使った有名なことわざ「能ある鷹は爪を隠す」を紹介します。
「能ある」は "capable," 「鷹」は "hawk," 「爪」は "nail/claw," 「隠す」は "to hide something" を意味します。
すなわち、このことわざの文字通りの意味は "A capable hawk hides the claws" です。
有能な鷹は、獲物に悟られないように、普段はその鋭い爪を隠しておきます。
また、真に実力や能力のある人は、それを軽々しく見せびらかしたり自慢したりしません。
このことわざは、そのような人を有能な鷹にたとえた誉め言葉というわけです。
今日は「爪」を使った有名なことわざ「能ある鷹は爪を隠す」を紹介します。
「能ある」は "capable," 「鷹」は "hawk," 「爪」は "nail/claw," 「隠す」は "to hide something" を意味します。
すなわち、このことわざの文字通りの意味は "A capable hawk hides the claws" です。
有能な鷹は、獲物に悟られないように、普段はその鋭い爪を隠しておきます。
また、真に実力や能力のある人は、それを軽々しく見せびらかしたり自慢したりしません。
このことわざは、そのような人を有能な鷹にたとえた誉め言葉というわけです。
Corrections (2)
No. 1 tony
- Nou aru Taka wa Tsume wo Kakusu (能ある鷹は爪を隠す - He who Knows most Speaks least)
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Nou aru (能ある) means "capable," taka (鷹) means "hawk," tsume (爪) means "nail/claw," and kakusu (隠す) means "to hide something."
- Nou aru (能ある) means "capable," taka (鷹) means "hawk," tsume (爪) means "nail(s)/claw(s)," and kakusu (隠す) means "to hide something."
- That is to say, the literal meaning of this proverb is "A capable hawk hides the claws."
- That is to say, the literal meaning of this proverb is "A capable hawk hides its claws."
- In fact, a capable hawk hides the sharp claws so that prey doesn't understand the situation.
- In fact, a capable hawk hides its sharp claws so that prey doesn't understand the situation.
- On the other hand, a capable person doesn't brag or brandish the ability lightly.
-
In other words, a capable person doesn't brag or brandish {their | his or her} ability lightly.
"On the other hand" is used to describe a contrasting situation.
- This proverb is a kind of compliments, which likens such a capable person to a capable hawk.
- This proverb is a kind of compliments, which likens such a capable person to a capable hawk.
中国の諺ですね。老子：「知者不言，言者不知。」
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction!
中国の諺だったとは知りませんでした。教えていただきありがとうございます。
Thank you so much for the correction!
中国の諺だったとは知りませんでした。教えていただきありがとうございます。
tony
"brag" should be "brag about"
-
In other words, a capable person doesn't brag or brandish {their | his or her} ability lightly.
"On the other hand" is used to describe a contrasting situation.
No. 2 artboy598
- Nou aru Taka wa Tsume wo Kakusu (能ある鷹は爪を隠す - He who Knows most Speaks least)
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Today I would like to introduce you to the popular Japanese proverb, nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu (能ある鷹は爪を隠す).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Nou aru (能ある) means "capable," taka (鷹) means "hawk," tsume (爪) means "nail/claw," and kakusu (隠す) means "to hide something."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- That is to say, the literal meaning of this proverb is "A capable hawk hides the claws."
- That is to say, the literal meaning of this proverb is "A capable hawk hides its claws."
- In fact, a capable hawk hides the sharp claws so that prey doesn't understand the situation.
- In fact, a capable hawk hides its sharp claws so that prey doesn't understand the situation.
- On the other hand, a capable person doesn't brag or brandish the ability lightly.
- In other words/In short, a capable person doesn't brag or brandish the ability lightly.
- This proverb is a kind of compliments, which likens such a capable person to a capable hawk.
- This proverb is a kind of compliments, which likens such a capable person to a capable hawk.
In English we say "Speak softly and carry a big stick".
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post and letting me know the phrase! :)
Thank you so much for correcting my post and letting me know the phrase! :)