1、五十歩百歩 /五十步笑百步
● 50 steps or 100 steps
○ There is no difference to speak of.
2、どんぐりの背比べ /半斤八两
● Comparing the height of acorns.
○ There is little to choose among them.
3、郷に入っては郷に従え /入乡随俗
● Obey the customs of the village you enter.
○ When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
4、出る杭は打たれる /树大招风
● A protruding stake will be pounded down.
○ A tall tree catches much wind.
5、二度あることは三度ある /一而再再而三
● What happens twice happens thrice.
○ What happens twice will happen thrice.
6、一石二鳥 /一石二鸟
● One stone, two birds.
○ To kill two birds with one stone.
7、好きこそものの上手なれ /兴趣是最好的老师
● To do well at something you like.
○ We tend to be good at those things we like.
8、案ずるより産むが易し / 恐惧比危险本身更可怕
● Giving birth is easier than the fear of it.
○ Fear is greater than the danger.
9、蛙の子は蛙 /有其父必有其子
● A frog’s offspring is a frog.
○ Like father, like son.
10、早起きは三文の得 /早起的鸟儿有食吃
● Getting up early will get you a profit.
○ The early bird catches the worm.
11、井の中の蛙大海を知らず /井底之蛙
● A frog in a pond knows not of the large ocean.
○ Homekeeping youth have ever homely wits.
12、口は禍のもと /祸从口出
● Your mouth always leads to disaster.
○ Your tongue always starts the messes you are in.
注:●=a literal translation
○=an expression with the same meaning