七転八起(しちてんはっき)

しちてんはっき
noun
fall seven times, rise eight; perseverance
See also: 七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)き (colloquial reading)
1. fall seven times, rise eight; perseverance through repeated failures
The spirit of never giving up despite repeated failures; getting back up one more time than you fall down.
七転八起(しちてんはっき)の精神(せいしん)で頑張(がんば)る。
To persevere with the spirit of never giving up.
七転八起(しちてんはっき)だ、諦(あきら)めるな。
Keep getting back up—don't give up.
彼(かれ)の人生(じんせい)はまさに七転八起(しちてんはっき)だった。
His life was truly one of persistent comebacks.

FOUR-CHARACTER IDIOM (四字熟語(よじじゅくご)):
七転(しちてん) (seven tumbles) + 八起(はっき) (eight rises)

ALTERNATE READING:
Also read as 七転び八起き(ななころびやおき) in a more colloquial style.

MEANING:
The logic is that if you fall seven times but get up eight times, you end up standing—symbolizing resilience and determination.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Often associated with 達磨(だるま) (Daruma) dolls, which are designed to right themselves when knocked over.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

general
Added 2026.1.16 18:38 · Revised 2026.6.16 3:53
05500/05697_shichitenhakki