Inspiring Japanese Quotes for Instagram with English Meaning

1. 七転び八起き (Nanakorobi yaoki)

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”

2. 花より団子 (Hana yori dango)

“Dumplings over flowers.” (Substance over style.)

3. 一期一会 (Ichigo ichie)

“Once in a lifetime encounter.”

4. 猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru)

“Even monkeys fall from trees.” (Everyone makes mistakes.)

5. 雨降って地固まる (Ame futte ji katamaru)

“After the rain, the ground hardens.” (Adversity strengthens.)

6. 石の上にも三年 (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen)

“Three years on a rock.” (Perseverance pays off.)

7. 情けは人の為ならず (Nasake wa hito no tame narazu)

“Kindness for others is not for others.” (Kindness returns to you.)

8. 夢は叶う (Yume wa kanau)

“Dreams come true.”

9. 笑う門には福来る (Warau kado ni wa fuku kitaru)

“Good fortune comes to the home of those who smile.”

10. 初心忘るべからず (Shoshin wasuru bekarazu)

“Don’t forget your beginner’s mind.”

11. 明日は明日の風が吹く (Ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku)

“Tomorrow’s wind will blow tomorrow.” (Worry less.)

12. 有言実行 (Yūgen jikkō)

“Say it, do it.”

13. 急がば回れ (Isogaba maware)

“Haste makes waste.”

14. 継続は力なり (Keizoku wa chikara nari)

“Continuance is strength.”

15. 自業自得 (Jigō jitoku)

“You reap what you sow.”

16. 知らぬが仏 (Shiranu ga hotoke)

“Not knowing is Buddha.” (Ignorance is bliss.)

17. 心のままに (Kokoro no mama ni)

“Follow your heart.”

18. 雲の上はいつも晴れ (Kumo no ue wa itsumo hare)

“Above the clouds, it’s always sunny.”

19. 心配無用 (Shinpai muyou)

“No need to worry.”

20. 自分らしく (Jibun rashiku)

“Be yourself.”

21. 大器晩成 (Taiki bansei)

“Great talents mature late.”

22. 縁の下の力持ち (En no shita no chikaramochi)

“The unseen supporter under the floor.”

23. 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu)

“Without entering the tiger’s den, you cannot catch its cub.” (No risk, no reward.)

24. 時は金なり (Toki wa kane nari)

“Time is money.”

25. 一石二鳥 (Isseki nichō)

“Kill two birds with one stone.”

26. 以心伝心 (Ishin denshin)

“Telepathy of the heart.”

27. 人生は旅 (Jinsei wa tabi)

“Life is a journey.”

28. 光陰矢の如し (Kōin ya no gotoshi)

“Time flies like an arrow.”

29. 平常心 (Heijōshin)

“Calm heart. Steady mind.”

30. 本当の強さ (Hontou no tsuyosa)

“True strength lies within.”