【No. 2204】Shichiten Battō (七転八倒 - Writhing in Pain)
Nov 3, 2023 12:09
Shichiten Battō
The concept of writhing or struggling in pain is described as shichiten battō (七転八倒).
Since shichi (七) means "seven," ten (転) means "to roll," ba/hachi (八) means "eight," and tō (倒) means "to fall down," the literal meaning of shichiten battō is "to roll seven times and fall down eight times."
In this context, both "seven" and "eight" are used as a metaphor for large numbers.
In other words, this four-character idiom describes a situation where one is so distressed that they roll and fall down repeatedly.
The concept of writhing or struggling in pain is described as shichiten battō (七転八倒).
Since shichi (七) means "seven," ten (転) means "to roll," ba/hachi (八) means "eight," and tō (倒) means "to fall down," the literal meaning of shichiten battō is "to roll seven times and fall down eight times."
In this context, both "seven" and "eight" are used as a metaphor for large numbers.
In other words, this four-character idiom describes a situation where one is so distressed that they roll and fall down repeatedly.
七転八倒
苦痛のあまり、転げ回ったりもがいたりすることを、「七転八倒」と言います。
「七」は "seven"、「転」は "to roll"、「八」は "eight"、「倒」は "to fall down" を意味するので、「七転八倒」の文字どおりの意味は "to roll seven times and fall down eight times" となります。
ここで「七」や「八」は、数が多いことの喩えとして用いられています。
すなわち、何度も転がったり倒れたりするほど、苦しいことが繰り返されているというわけです。
苦痛のあまり、転げ回ったりもがいたりすることを、「七転八倒」と言います。
「七」は "seven"、「転」は "to roll"、「八」は "eight"、「倒」は "to fall down" を意味するので、「七転八倒」の文字どおりの意味は "to roll seven times and fall down eight times" となります。
ここで「七」や「八」は、数が多いことの喩えとして用いられています。
すなわち、何度も転がったり倒れたりするほど、苦しいことが繰り返されているというわけです。
Corrections (2)
No. 1 O-Star
- Shichiten Battō (七転八倒 - Writhing in Pain)
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Shichiten Battō
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- The concept of writhing or struggling in pain is described as 'shichiten battō' (七転八倒).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Since 'shichi' (七) means "seven," 'ten' (転) means "to roll," 'ba/hachi' (八) means "eight," and 'tō' (倒) means "to fall down," the literal meaning of 'shichiten battō' is "to roll seven times and fall down eight times."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- In this context, both "seven" and "eight" are used as a metaphor for large numbers.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- In other words, this four-character idiom describes a situation where one is so distressed that they roll and fall down repeatedly.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you for checking my post!
Thank you for checking my post!
O-Star
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
No. 2 friendfromfaraway
- Shichiten Battō (七転八倒 - Writhing in Pain)
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- The concept of writhing or struggling in pain is described as 'shichiten battō' (七転八倒).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Since 'shichi' (七) means "seven," 'ten' (転) means "to roll," 'ba/hachi' (八) means "eight," and 'tō' (倒) means "to fall down," the literal meaning of 'shichiten battō' is "to roll seven times and fall down eight times."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- In this context, both "seven" and "eight" are used as a metaphor for large numbers.
- In this context, both "seven" and "eight" are used as metaphors for large numbers.
- In other words, this four-character idiom describes a situation where one is so distressed that they roll and fall down repeatedly.
- In other words, this four-character idiom describes a situation where one is so distressed that they fall down and roll around on the ground repeatedly.
When I first saw this, I thought it was "七転八起" which has almost the complete opposite meaning. They're easy phrases to confuse if you don't read them really carefully! lol
Toru
Thank you for the correction! Yes, it's important to note that "七転八倒" and "七転八起" look very similar and can be easily confused!
Thank you for the correction! Yes, it's important to note that "七転八倒" and "七転八起" look very similar and can be easily confused!