一寸の虫にも五分の魂 (Issun no mushi ni mo gobu no tamashii)

Meaning: Even the smallest, weakest person has pride and will stand up for themselves.

Literally: Even a one-inch insect has a half-inch soul

Example: “いつもおとなしい彼が反論した。一寸の虫にも五分の魂だ。” — He's always so meek, but he talked back: even a worm will turn.

Equivalents in English, French, German, Dutch, and Korean

English: Tread on a worm and it will turn.
French: Un ver se recoquille quand on marche dessus (literally: Tread on a worm and it will turn)
German: Auch der Wurm krümmt sich, wenn er getreten wird (literally: Even the worm writhes when it is trodden on)
Dutch: Daar is geen worm zo klein, die zich niet kromt (literally: No worm is so small that it won't curl up)
Korean: 지렁이도 밟으면 꿈틀한다 (Jireongido balbeumyeon kkumteulhanda) (literally: Even an earthworm wriggles when stepped on)

Origin: An inch (sun) long insect still has half an inch (bu) of soul: half of itself is spirit.

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

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