If you’re a fan of Japanese pop culture, you’ve probably noticed how the protagonists in J-dramas and anime often come up with profoundly moving Japanese quotes that make you want to take action and pursue your dreams, or at the very least give you pause to reflect on the meaning of your life.
While this is true, a variety of expressions are not simple. Moreover, many Japanese learners find it difficult to understand dialogue in films and television shows because they don’t know the precise translation.
For this reason, you may realize that some dialogues in Japanese-language media use a Japanese proverb and idiom unique to Japan, or they use Japanese translation services for media translation. So, you need to know not just the lingo but also the Japanese culture.
Ready for Japanese quotes that will get your blood pumping? If that’s the case, then let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Inspirational Japanese Quotes From Well-Known Anime
It’s common knowledge that Japan has produced an astonishing quantity of anime that has found widespread success worldwide. Anime isn’t simply an innocent tale for kids; many feature profound stories reflecting mature themes and social issues. So, we’re thrilled to provide these inspiring Japanese phrases from anime.
Slam Dunk – スラムダンク (Suramu Danku)
Japanese moviegoers, meanwhile, are admiring The First Slam Dunk while the rest of the world is going crazy over Avatar 2. This proves how dedicated Japanese audiences are to Slam Dunk and that not even a Hollywood blockbuster could attract them away. To that end, let’s explore a few of this anime’s most uplifting Japanese quotes.
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| If you give up, the game is already over. | あきらめたら そこで試合終了ですよ | Akirametara sokode shiai shūryōdesu yo |
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| Don’t think basketball is only about height. | 身長だけでバスケができると思うなよ | Shinchou dake de basuke ga dekiru to omou na yo |
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| The one who’s being in the past is you. | いちばん過去にこだわってんのはあんただろ | Ichiban kako ni kodawatten no wa anta daro |
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| Grow up, Mitsui! | 大人になれ、三井！ | Otona ni nare, mitsui! |
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| You must not give up hope until the end. | 最後まで希望を捨てちゃいかん | Saigo made kibou o sutecha ikan |
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One Piece – ワンピース (Wan Pīsu)
When asked what first sparked their interest in Japan, fans of Japanese pop culture almost universally answer One Piece, a manga and anime series that has been running for decades and is still widely popular. And, sure, there are a lot of interesting quotes to be uncovered in this story.
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| I’m Gonna Become The Pirate King | 海賊王におれはなる! | Kaizoku-ō ni ore wa naru |
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| No matter how hard you kick me, it’s you who’s going to be in pain, not me. | おれのこと蹴るだけ蹴っても痛えのはお前だろ！ | Ore no koto keru dake kette mo itee no wa omae daro |
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| Our adventure is not done yet! | 旅はまだ途中だぞ！ | Tabi wa mada tochuu dazo |
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| I would rather rip off my arms than die here! | 死ぬより両腕ちぎれる方がましだろ！ | Shinu yori ryouude chigireru hou ga mashi daro |
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| I’m not a man who’s going to die in a place like this! | おれはこんな所で死ぬ男じゃねえ！ | Ore wa konna tokoro de shinu otoko janee |
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| The sea is big. You’ll definitely meet some nice people one day! | 海は広い。いつか必ず優しい人達に会えるから！ | Umi wa hiroi. itsuka kanarazu yasashii hitotachi ni aeru kara |
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| Men don’t kick women! | 男は女を蹴っちゃならねえ！ | Otoko wa onna o keccha naranee |
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Demon Slayer – 鬼滅の刃 (Kimetsu No Yaiba)
After its screening, Demon Slayer skyrocketed to stardom. The animation style and unique characters are two of the many reasons this show has become so popular, and you can watch it on Netflix! Once again, there are plenty of brilliant sayings in this anime that you can steal and use in your everyday conversation.
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Never leave yourself so defenseless in front of an enemy. | 生殺与奪の権を他人に握らせるな | Seisatsuyodatsunoken o tanin ni nigira seru na |
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| Things you do for others will go around and come back for you in the end. | 人のためにすることは 結局 めぐりめぐって自分のためにもなっているものだし | Hito no tame ni suru koto wa kekkyo ku meguri megutteji bun no tame ni mo natte iru monodashi |
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| We live every day to the fullest of the life that everyone gives us. | みんなに繋いでもらった 命で俺たちは 一生懸命 生きていきます | Min’na ni tsunaide moratta inochi de ore-tachi wa isshou kenmei ikite ikimasu |
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| Don’t ruin one’s mind disrespectfully. | 人の心の中に土足で踏みいるな | Hito no kokoro no naka ni dosoku de fumi iru na |
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| No matter how miserable and shameful, we have to live our lives. | どんなに惨めでも恥ずかしくても 生きてかなきゃならねえんだぞ | Don nani mugo me demo haji wazu kashikute mo ikite kanakya naranē nda zo |
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| Even if it’s painful, don’t run away to the easy way. | 苦しくても、楽な方に逃げるな | Kurushikute mo, rakuna kata ni nigeru na |
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Famous Japanese Proverbs And Idioms
Japanese idioms and proverbs are commonly used in Japanese society, J-drama, and anime since the writer uses them as a technique to tell a story. In addition, some Japanese idioms express the feelings and thoughts of the protagonist without saying anything directly. Let’s look at some examples.
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Even monkeys fall from tree | 猿も木から落ちる | Saru mo ki kara ochiru | Even the most competent person can make an error in their area of expertise. |
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| Gold coins to a cat | 猫に小判 | Neko ni koban | Pearls before swine: It wastes time when giving goods to those who can’t appreciate them. |
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| You won’t be able to get the tiger cub if you don’t go into its cave | 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず | Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu | You can’t accomplish anything without risking anything. |
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| Tomorrow’s winds will begin to blow | 明日は明日の風が吹く | Ashita wa ashita no kazegafuku | Tomorrow is another day: do not fret over your situation, as time will eventually improve your circumstances. |
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| Fall down seven times but get up eight times | 七転び八起き | Nanakorobiyaoki | Don’t give up: you will fail seven times but succeed eight times. |
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How Do You Say “Japanese Quotes” In Japanese?
Japanese quotes in Japanese can be translated as Nihongo no meigen (日本語の名言).
Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Quotes
1. What Is The Japanese Strength Quote?
A famous Japanese strength quote is, “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Nanakorobi yaoki (七転び八起き). It emphasizes resilience and never giving up.
2. What Is The Japanese Humble Quote?
A well-known humble Japanese quote is, “Humility is a virtue.” – Kenkyo wa bitoku (謙虚は美徳). It highlights the importance of being humble.
3. What Are Some Samurai Quotes?
- The way of the samurai is found in dying. – Bushidō wa shinu koto to mitsuketari (武士道は死ぬことと見つけたり).
- One day, one life. – Ichinichi isshō (一日一生). It encourages living each day as if it were a lifetime.
4. What Are Japanese Sayings For Not Giving Up?
- If you give up, the game is over. – Akirametara soko de shiai shūryō da yo. (諦めたらそこで試合終了だよ)
- Three years on a stone. – Ishi no ue ni mo sannen. (石の上にも三年) It means that perseverance will eventually lead to success.
Conclusion
As can be seen, this includes anything from common sayings to a conversation in Japanese pop culture. For example, famous Japanese quotes often begin with a character using Japanese proverbs and idiomatic phrases to communicate their feelings or trying to say. This means if you study a Japanese idiom or any quotes you heard from J-drama or anime, you’ll be able to apply them in your conversation, making it sound natural, like a native.
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Apart from learning Japanese sayings, you can also try practicing Japanese with other topics using a language-learning app. Let’s swipe up your phone and download the Ling app now!
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