Kusattemo Tai (腐っても鯛 - A Good Horse Becomes Never a Jade)

Sep 10, 2018 19:19
Truly excellent things or people would not lose their original value, even if they got somewhat worse.

To express such a fact, you can use the Japanese proverb 'kusattemo tai' (腐っても鯛).

'Kusaru' (腐る) means "to rot," 'temo' (ても) means "but," and 'tai' (鯛) means "red sea bream."

Therefore, the literal meaning of kusattemo tai is "It rotted, but it's a red sea bream."

Since read sea bream has a good look and a good taste, it is treated as a lucky item in Japan.

Kusattemo tai is a kind of compliments, but using the verb kusaru (腐る - to rot) to someone is rude, so please be careful when you use it.
腐っても鯛

本当に優れたものや人は、多少悪くなったとしても、本来の価値を失わないものです。

そのようなことを表すことわざに、「腐っても鯛」があります。

「腐る」は "to rot," 「ても」は逆接の接続詞、「鯛」は "red sea bream" を意味します。

すなわち「腐っても鯛」の文字通りの意味は、"It rotted, but it's red sea bream" です。

鯛は見た目が立派で味も良く、日本では縁起物とされています。

「腐っても鯛」は誉め言葉ではありますが、「腐る」という表現を直接人に向けて言うのは失礼にあたるので、注意してください。
No. 1 katerent's correction
  • Truly excellent things or people would not lose their original value, even if they got somewhat worse.
  • Truly excellent things or people would not lose their original value, even if they becamegot somewhat worse.
  • To express such a fact, you can use the Japanese proverb 'kusattemo tai' (腐っても鯛).
  • To express such a fact, you can use the Japanese proverb 'kusattemo tai' (腐っても鯛).
  • 'Kusaru' (腐る) means "to rot," 'temo' (ても) means "but," and 'tai' (鯛) means "red sea bream."
  • 'Kusaru' (腐る) means "to rot," 'temo' (ても) means "but," and 'tai' (鯛) means "red sea bream."
  • Therefore, the literal meaning of kusattemo tai is "It rotted, but it's a red sea bream."
  • Therefore, the literal meaning of kusattemo tai is "It rotted, but it's a red sea bream."
     Or “Even if it rots, it’s (still) a red sea bream”
  • Since read sea bream has a good look and a good taste, it is treated as a lucky item in Japan.
  • Since read sea bream ihas knowna fgorod its splendidook appearanced and greatood taste, it is treated as a lucky syitembol in Japan.
  • Kusattemo tai is a kind of compliments, but using the verb kusaru (腐る - to rot) to someone is rude, so please be careful when you use it.
  • Kusattemo tai is a kind of compliments, but using the verb kusaru (腐る - to rot) when speaking to someone directly may sound rude, so please be careful when you use it.
Wow! That’s really cool. Your writing is excellent and very natural. 勉強になりました!
katerent
Edit (update, optional):
Truly excellent things or people would not lose their original value, even if they were to become somewhat worse.
Toru
Thank you so much for the corrections.
I'm glad to hear you say that. :)
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