案ずるより産むが易し
anzuru yori umu ga yasushi
Easier done than said
Phrase in 30 Seconds
This proverb encourages you to stop worrying and start doing, as the actual task is often easier than your fears.
- Means: The act of doing something is less painful than the anxiety of anticipating it.
- Used in: Starting a new hobby, facing a difficult conversation, or beginning a big project.
- Don't confuse: It is not about being reckless; it is about overcoming mental paralysis.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Giving birth is easier than worrying about it. It's often easier to do something than to worry about it.
Contexte culturel
Reflects the traditional value of 'shoganai' (it cannot be helped) combined with the need for action. Similar proverbs exist in China, emphasizing the gap between thought and reality.
Use it to motivate
This is a great phrase to use when a friend is stuck in a loop of worry.
Signification
Giving birth is easier than worrying about it. It's often easier to do something than to worry about it.
Use it to motivate
This is a great phrase to use when a friend is stuck in a loop of worry.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word.
案ずるより産むが___。
The proverb uses '易し' (easy).
🎉 Score : /1
Aides visuelles
Questions fréquentes
1 questionsUse it carefully. It's better to say '案ずるより産むが易しという言葉もありますし、まずはやってみましょう' to sound polite.
Expressions liées
下手な考え休むに似たり
similarPoor thinking is like resting.
Où l'utiliser
Exam anxiety
A: 試験、受かるか心配で眠れないよ。
B: 案ずるより産むが易しだよ。まずは勉強しよう!
Starting a business
Partner: リスクが多すぎて踏み出せない。
Me: 案ずるより産むが易し。まずは小さく始めましょう。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a woman giving birth (産む) and realizing it's easier (易し) than the worrying (案ずる) she did for months!
Visual Association
A person standing before a giant, scary mountain, but as they take one step, the mountain turns into a small, flat path.
Story
Ken was terrified of his first public speech. He spent weeks losing sleep. Finally, he walked onto the stage. He realized the audience was kind and the words flowed. He smiled, remembering: 案ずるより産むが易し.
Word Web
Défi
Identify one task you are avoiding today. Do it for 5 minutes. Reflect on the proverb.
In Other Languages
El miedo es más grande que el peligro.
Spanish focuses on the 'fear', Japanese focuses on the 'ease of doing'.
La peur est plus grande que le mal.
Focuses on the 'harm' rather than the 'act of giving birth'.
Angst ist ein schlechter Ratgeber.
Focuses on the quality of the advice rather than the ease of the task.
案ずるより産むが易し
N/A
لا تسبق الأحداث.
Focuses on timing rather than the ease of the action.
Easily Confused
This means being overly cautious, the opposite of the spirit of our proverb.
One is about caution (Ishibashi), the other is about action (Anzuru).
FAQ (1)
Use it carefully. It's better to say '案ずるより産むが易しという言葉もありますし、まずはやってみましょう' to sound polite.