親しき仲にも礼儀あり (Shitashiki naka ni mo reigi ari)

Meaning: Even with close friends and family, you must keep good manners.

Literally: Even in close relationships, there is etiquette

Example: “家族でも借りたものは返そう。親しき仲にも礼儀ありだよ。” — Even with family, return what you borrow: familiarity breeds contempt.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch

English: Familiarity breeds contempt
French: La familiarité engendre le mépris (literally: Familiarity breeds contempt)
Spanish: La confianza da asco (literally: Familiarity breeds disgust)
Italian: Confidenza toglie riverenza (literally: Familiarity removes reverence)
Dutch: Al te grote gemeenzaamheid baart verachting (literally: Too much familiarity breeds contempt)

Origin: A rule of Japanese social life: closeness is no excuse for rudeness.

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Simpatichny (Симпатичный) (Simpatichnyy) Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…
Aktualny (Актуальный) (Aktualnyy) Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…
Artist (Артист) (Artist) Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (k…

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