031Japanese proverb ことわざ
負けるが勝ち
まけるがかちMakeru ga kachi
“To lose is to win.”
The meaning
Yielding on the accessory preserves the essential. Giving up being right in the moment often wins peace, time, or the relationship.
At the origin
A traditional proverb on the art of not fighting every battle.
The characters
- 負ける makeruto lose
- が gasubject marker
- 勝ち
がParticleMarks the subject: the one who does, or what is.
In practice
In a minor disagreement, try yielding deliberately — and notice what you gain.
Themes
Similar proverbs
- 207 勝負は時の運 The outcome of a contest belongs also to the hour.
- 094 負うた子に教えられて浅瀬を渡る The child on your back shows you the ford.
- 125 勝って兜の緒を締めよ After victory, tighten your helmet cords.
- 266 泣く子と地頭には勝てぬ Against a crying child and a local lord, no one wins.
- 163 やせ蛙負けるな一茶これにあり Skinny frog, do not give up — Issa is here.