260Japanese idiom 四字熟語
立て板に水
たていたにみずTateita ni mizu
“Water on an upright board.”
The meaning
Speech that flows without a snag, like water down a tilted board. Fluency is admired — and trained: it is the visible fruit of already-clear thought.
At the origin
The idiom for fluent eloquence.
The characters
- 立て板 tateitaupright board
- に nion
- 水
にParticleThe point of arrival: a place, a moment, a destination.
In practice
To speak clearly, first write clearly: the board first, the water after.
Themes
Similar proverbs
- 091 魚心あれば水心 If the fish loves the water, the water will love the fish.
- 165 朝顔に釣瓶とられてもらい水 A morning glory has claimed my well bucket — I beg water next door.
- 208 水に流す Let the water carry it away.
- 037 朱に交われば赤くなる Touch vermilion and you turn red.
- 054 可愛い子には旅をさせよ Send the child you cherish on a journey.