Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

箴言 (しんげん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

箴しん言げん

し

ん

げ

ん

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

proverb; maxim; aphorism

A short, wise saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice. Slightly formal or literary; in everyday speech ことわざ is more common.

彼かれはスピーチの中なかで古ふるい箴しん言げんを引いん用ようした。
He quoted an old proverb in his speech.

2

noun

Proverbs (book of the Bible)

Refers specifically to the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. Used in religious or literary contexts.

Kanji

箴warning, counsel, presept
言say, word

Similar words

ことわざ
The common, everyday word for 'proverb'. 箴言 is more formal and literary, and also refers to the biblical book.
格かく言げん
Also means 'maxim' or 'saying', but 箴言 often implies a moral or admonitory tone, while 格言 is broader.

Etymology

From Chinese 箴言 (zhēnyán), literally 'needle words', i.e., words that prick or admonish. The kanji 箴 means 'needle' or 'probe', and 言 means 'word'.

聖せい書しょの箴しん言げんには実じつ用よう的てきな知ち恵えが多おおく記しるされている。

The Book of Proverbs in the Bible contains much practical wisdom.