How to Read “隣の芝生は青い”
tonari no shibafu wa aoi
Meaning of “隣の芝生は青い”
“Neighbor’s lawn is blue” is a proverb that expresses the human psychology of perceiving other people’s possessions or circumstances as better than one’s own.
This expression originates from the phenomenon where even if lawns are actually similar, the neighbor’s lawn appears more lush and beautiful. People tend to become accustomed to what they have and overlook its value. On the other hand, what others possess appears fresh and seems more attractive than it actually is.
This proverb is mainly used when someone is envying others or feeling dissatisfied with their current situation. When someone looks at a friend’s lifestyle, job, or romantic partner and feels “that person has it good,” you can offer perspective by saying “but you know, neighbor’s lawn is blue,” encouraging a more balanced viewpoint. Even today, this psychology exists universally, such as when people feel envious looking at others’ social media posts.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Neighbor’s lawn is blue” is actually not from an ancient Japanese proverb. This saying is believed to have become established as a Japanese translation of the English phrase “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
This expression has been used in English-speaking countries for a long time, and when translated literally means “the lawn on the other side of the fence is always lush.” When this English proverb was introduced to Japan, it was converted into the easily understandable expression “Neighbor’s lawn is blue.”
What’s interesting is that during this translation process, the concept of “fence” was replaced with the relationship of “neighbor.” This can be said to be a skillful translation that reflects Japan’s living environment and cultural background. In Japan, relationships with neighbors are close, and living environments where you can easily see your neighbor’s yard were common, so this expression was readily accepted.
It’s thought to have become widely used around the post-war high economic growth period, and today it has completely established itself as a Japanese proverb. Despite being of English origin, it continues to be beloved as a phrase that beautifully expresses Japanese sentiments.
Interesting Facts
Some people may question why lawns are described as “blue,” but this is a characteristic of Japanese color expressions. Since ancient times, Japanese has often expressed green things as “blue,” including green traffic lights, green vegetables, and green leaves, which are actually green in color. In the case of lawns too, expressing beautiful, healthy green as “lush blue” is natural Japanese.
An interesting point about this proverb is that there are actually optical reasons why a neighbor’s lawn appears better than your own. Lawns change in color intensity depending on the viewing angle, and they tend to appear denser and more lush when viewed from a slightly distant location. In other words, this proverb includes not only psychological illusion but also visual illusion.
Usage Examples
- When I look at my friends’ Instagram, it feels like neighbor’s lawn is blue – everyone seems to be having so much fun
- I’m thinking about changing jobs, but it might just be that neighbor’s lawn is blue, so I want to decide carefully
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the psychology of “neighbor’s lawn is blue” has become more pronounced due to the spread of social media. When looking at other people’s posts on Instagram or Facebook, everyone seems to be living fulfilling lives, and you might feel like you’re the only one being left behind. However, what gets posted on social media is only the highlight portions of life, and daily struggles and worries remain invisible.
This psychology also works when looking at job sites and employment information. Many people consider changing jobs because other companies’ benefits and work environments seem attractive, but it’s not uncommon for people to find that reality differs from their imagination after actually changing jobs.
On the other hand, precisely because we live in an information society, marketing techniques that take advantage of this psychology have emerged. Advertising strategies that stimulate purchasing desire by emphasizing “exclusivity” or “what other people have” are exactly utilizing the “neighbor’s lawn is blue” psychology.
In modern times, understanding this psychology allows us to make more calm judgments. The importance of first reconsidering the value of what you have before comparing yourself to others has become more important than ever.
When AI Hears This
Social media has dramatically amplified the traditional psychological bias behind “the grass is greener on the other side.” Due to what cognitive psychology calls the “availability heuristic,” we tend to judge easily visible information as more important than reality. What used to be comparisons with a few actual neighbors has now become comparisons with hundreds of people’s “highlight reels.”
The most fascinating aspect is the information asymmetry. Others’ social media posts are intentionally curated collections of “success moments,” while we know our own 24/7 real experiences. This is a textbook example of what statistics calls “sampling bias” – we’re comparing fundamentally different datasets.
Furthermore, as “social comparison theory” shows, people tend to compare themselves with those slightly above their level. Social media algorithms prioritize content that makes users feel “envious” to boost engagement. In other words, platforms are intentionally mass-supplying “greener grass.”
The modern “grass is greener” phenomenon is arguably the most sophisticated dissatisfaction-manufacturing system in human history, born from the collaboration between individual psychological tendencies and technology. The psychological trap that ancient wisdom warned us about has been exponentially magnified in the digital age.
Lessons for Today
What “neighbor’s lawn is blue” teaches modern people is first the importance of looking at your own feet. Rather than spending time comparing yourself to others, try rediscovering the value of what you currently have. Your “lawn” surely has parts that other people would envy too.
Especially in today’s social media age, it’s important to consciously escape from the trap of comparison. When you feel down after looking at others’ posts, remember that they’re just capturing one part of life. You surely have many wonderful moments that you’d want to post about too.
And if you really want to change something, rather than just envying, try taking concrete action. If your neighbor’s lawn appears blue, think about ways to make your own lawn bluer. If you can transform admiration for others into energy for self-growth, this proverb becomes wisdom that enriches life.
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