金言

• Reading: きんげん
• Romaji: kingen
• Kanji breakdown: 金 (kin) — gold, precious; 言 (gen) — word, saying, speech
• Pronunciation: /kiɴ.ɡeɴ/

Meaning

Golden saying; wise saying; maxim; a memorable and profound piece of wisdom expressed concisely.

A noun for a short, memorable statement encapsulating timeless wisdom — equivalent to 'golden rule' or 'wise saying' in English. 金言 may originate from classical Chinese, Buddhist scripture, or the accumulated wisdom of historical figures. Unlike 格言 (proverb), 金言 emphasises the intrinsic value and weight of the saying itself, as if it were made of gold.

Examples

1. 時間は金なりという金言は、今でも多くの人に語り継がれている。 The golden saying 'Time is money' is still passed down and quoted by many people today.
2. 先人の金言に耳を傾けることで、人生の教訓を学ぶことができる。 By listening to the wise sayings of those who came before us, we can learn life's lessons.
3. 彼女の短い言葉には金言の重みがあり、聴く者の心に深く刻まれた。 Her brief words carried the weight of a maxim and were deeply engraved in the hearts of all who heard them.

Usage Guide

Context: literary criticism, philosophy, ethics, education

Tone: reverent

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound. 金 means 'gold' and 言 means 'word, saying'. The metaphor of gold conveys that the saying is precious, valuable, and enduring — not to be discarded lightly.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal