七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)き

ななころびやおき
expression
fall seven times, get up eight; never give up
proverb
See also: 七転八起(しちてんはっき) (four-character idiom form)
1. fall down seven times, get up eight
A proverb encouraging perseverance and resilience. No matter how many times you fail, you should always get back up and try again.
七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)きの精神(せいしん)で頑張(がんば)ろう。
Let's persevere with the spirit of 'fall seven times, get up eight.'
失敗(しっぱい)しても諦(あきら)めない。七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)きだ。
Even if I fail, I won't give up. Fall seven times, get up eight.
人生(じんせい)は七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)き。何度(なんど)でもやり直(なお)せる。
Life is about getting back up no matter how many times you fall. You can always start over.

Etymology

Literally 'seven falls, eight rises.' The idea is that even if you fall seven times, you rise one more time than you fall, emphasizing resilience and perseverance.

Cultural note

This proverb reflects the Japanese cultural value of 頑張(がんば)り (perseverance, persistence). It encourages people not to be defeated by setbacks.

CULTURAL NOTE (Daruma):
The 達磨(だるま) (Daruma doll) is a symbol of this proverb. Daruma dolls are weighted at the bottom so they always return to an upright position when tipped over.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 負(ま)ける (Don't give up)
Related: 諦(あきら)める (Don't give up)
Related: 根性(こんじょう) (guts, determination)
Compare: 石(いし)の上(うえ)にも三年(さんねん) (perseverance pays off)
general
Added 2026.1.17 13:09 · Revised 2026.10.11 4:52
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