ProverbPerseveranceJapanese origin

七転び八起き (Nanakorobi yaoki)

Meaning: To keep getting up no matter how often you fall.

Literally: Fall seven times, rise eight

Example: “店は三回つぶれたが、七転び八起きで今は繁盛している。” — The shop failed three times, but if at first you don't succeed, try again: now it's thriving.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, German, and Chinese

  • English: Fall seven times, get up eight
  • French: Tomber sept fois, se relever huit (literally: Fall seven times, get up eight)
  • Spanish: Caer siete veces, levantarse ocho (literally: Fall seven times, rise eight)
  • German: Beharrlichkeit führt zum Ziel (literally: Persistence leads to the goal)
  • Chinese: 百折不挠 (Bǎi zhé bù náo) (literally: Bent a hundred times, never yielding)

Origin: A Japanese maxim of resilience, echoed in the round, self-righting Daruma doll that always stands back up.

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

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

Browse all tongue twisters →

Keep exploring

Explore all proverbs →