憎まれっ子世にはばかる (Nikumarekko yo ni habakaru)

Meaning: Disliked, troublesome people often do well in life.

Literally: The hated child thrives in the world

Example: “あんな意地悪な人が出世するなんて。憎まれっ子世にはばかるだね。” — Imagine that nasty man getting promoted: ill weeds grow apace.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and 2 more languages

English: Ill weeds grow apace.
French: Mauvaise herbe croît toujours (literally: Ill weeds grow apace)
Spanish: Mala hierba nunca muere (literally: Bad weeds never die)
German: Unkraut vergeht nicht (literally: Weeds do not perish)
Italian: La mal erba cresce presto (literally: Ill weeds grow apace)
Portuguese: Erva ruim, não a queima a geada (literally: Frost doesn't burn a bad weed)
Dutch: Onkruid vergaat niet (literally: Weeds don't perish)

Origin: A nikumarekko is a child everyone dislikes; habakaru here means to throw one's weight about, to thrive.

Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.

目に入れても痛くない (Me ni irete mo itakunai) Said of someone you adore completely, often a child or grandchild.
石頭 (Ishiatama) A stubborn, inflexible person who won't budge.
気が利く (ki ga kiku) You're perceptive and considerately thoughtful — you notice what people need before they…

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