恥より死を
haji yori shi o
The Japanese phrase for "death before dishonor" is 恥より死を (haji yori shi o).
This phrase is a motto expressing the sentiment that it is better to die than to live with shame or to lose one's honor.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 恥 (shame/dishonor), より (than/from), 死 (death) and the object marker particle を.
How do you pronounce it?
haji yori shi o
Did you know?
- The word 死 (shi) for 'death' is a homophone for several other words, including 'four' and 'to die' in certain contexts, making it a number often avoided in Japan due to its unlucky associations.
- The idea of choosing death over dishonor is mirrored in the Japanese word 切腹 (seppuku), where the characters literally mean 'cutting the stomach' because the belly was believed to be the seat of the soul and true intentions.
- The concept of 恥 (shame) is so central to Japanese culture that the country is often described by sociologists as a 'shame culture' rather than a 'guilt culture'.
Examples in context
- 武士道とは、恥より死を重んじる精神だ。Bushidō to wa, haji yori shi o omonjiru seishin da.Bushido is the spirit of valuing death before dishonor.
- 彼は、恥より死を、という信念を持っている。Kare wa, haji yori shi o, to iu shinnen o motte iru.He holds the belief of death before dishonor.
- 「恥より死を」という言葉は重い。“Haji yori shi o” to iu kotoba wa omoi.The phrase "death before dishonor" is heavy.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are discussing a historical movie about samurai.
- 美咲 Misakiこの映画の精神は、まさに恥より死をだね。Kono eiga no seishin wa, masa ni haji yori shi o da ne.The spirit of this movie is truly death before dishonor, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta今の時代には理解しにくい考え方だけど、かっこいいよ。Ima no jidai ni wa rikai shinikui kangaekata dakedo, kakkoii yo.It's a hard way of thinking to understand these days, but it's cool.
- 美咲 Misaki健太なら、そんな覚悟ができるかな？Kenta nara, sonna kakugo ga dekiru kana?I wonder if you could make that kind of resolve, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaいや、僕なら恥をかいてでも生きたいな。Iya, boku nara haji o kaite demo ikitai na.No, I'd rather live even if it means being shamed.
