1.
the early bird catches the worm; early rising brings benefits
A proverb meaning that waking up early leads to advantages or profits. Encourages the virtue of early rising.
早起きは三文の徳というから、朝散歩を始めた。
Since they say the early bird catches the worm, I started taking morning walks.
早起きは三文の徳だよ。朝の時間を有効に使おう。
Early to rise is good for you. Let's make the most of the morning hours.
祖母はいつも「早起きは三文の徳」と言って早く起きていた。
My grandmother always said 'the early bird catches the worm' and got up early.
PROVERB MEANING:
Waking up early brings some benefit, even if small. The 三文 (three mon) was a small amount of money in old Japan, but the proverb emphasizes that even a small gain is better than nothing.
ORIGIN:
The 文 was a unit of currency in the Edo period. While three mon was a trivial sum, the proverb suggests that the cumulative benefits of early rising add up.
ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS:
- The early bird catches the worm
- Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise
VARIATION:
Sometimes written with 得 instead of 徳, though 徳 (virtue) is more traditional.