How to Read “If you don’t read books for three days, your words lose their flavor”
Mikka sho wo yomazareba gogon aji nashi
Meaning of “If you don’t read books for three days, your words lose their flavor”
This proverb means that when you neglect reading, you lose your education and your speech becomes shallow. Even after just three days without reading, your conversations and statements become superficial. Your words lose their depth and weight.
The “flavor” mentioned here doesn’t just mean whether something is interesting. It refers to deep insights based on education and the power of words that touch people’s hearts.
Knowledge and mental training gained through reading make our words richer and more persuasive.
People use this proverb when emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. It reminds us that even education we’ve already gained will rust if we don’t keep learning.
Even today, there’s a clear difference in conversation quality between people who read regularly and those who don’t. This proverb’s observation remains accurate in modern times.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb likely came from classical Chinese views on education that spread to Japan and took root there. Using a specific number like “three days” to emphasize that even a short break from reading has effects is common in East Asian educational thought.
The phrase “words lose their flavor” is worth noting. The “flavor” here doesn’t mean simple entertainment. It refers to depth and the weight of words backed by education.
Since ancient times in China and Japan, educated people were expected to naturally express knowledge from books in their speech.
The choice of “three days” is particularly interesting. This doesn’t literally mean three days. It’s an idiomatic expression meaning “just a short while.”
In Chinese classics, the number “three” often symbolically represents “a small amount” or “a short period.” This expression likely reflects that influence.
In Edo period Japan, reading was considered the foundation of education, especially among the samurai class. Records show people used this proverb when teaching the importance of self-improvement.
The idea that continuous learning maintains human character is condensed into these few words.
Usage Examples
- His conversations have gotten boring lately—it’s that “if you don’t read books for three days, your words lose their flavor” thing
- I’ve been too busy and skipped reading, and now “if you don’t read books for three days, your words lose their flavor”—my comments in meetings have lost their persuasiveness
Universal Wisdom
The truth this proverb speaks is the harsh reality that human intelligence and education decline without continuous use. We tend to mistakenly believe that what we’ve learned once becomes ours forever.
In reality, almost nothing can be maintained without ongoing effort.
What’s particularly profound is that this proverb focuses on “quality of words” rather than “quantity of knowledge.” Humans are social creatures who connect with others through words.
When those words become shallow, it doesn’t just mean you’re getting dumber. It means you’re losing your appeal and influence as a person.
Also, by setting the short period of “three days,” this proverb suggests how delicate and fragile maintaining education is. Even intelligence built over many years can fade with just a little neglect.
This harshness reveals the human nature that our ancestors understood.
At the same time, this proverb contains hope. In other words, if you keep learning even a little each day, you can maintain the power of your words.
You don’t need to be perfect—what matters is continuing. A deep understanding of and kindness toward humanity flows beneath these words.
When AI Hears This
The brain is surprisingly efficiency-focused and ruthlessly prunes neural circuits that aren’t used. This is called “use-dependent synaptic pruning.” Neural circuits in language areas trained through reading are no exception.
When reading complex texts, millions of neurons in the brain work together to extract meaning. At this time, receptors for neurotransmitters increase at synapses, the connection points between neurons, making information flow easier.
However, after three days without use, the brain judges “this circuit is unnecessary” and begins reducing the number of receptors.
This isn’t just functional decline—it’s physical structural change. Research shows that not using specific skills for just a few days causes measurably reduced gray matter density in related brain regions.
In other words, the feeling that “words lack flavor” isn’t a metaphor. It points to a state where language processing neural circuits have actually thinned and information processing speed has dropped.
What’s interesting is how fast this change happens. Muscle atrophy takes several weeks, but neural circuit pruning begins within days.
The brain is far more dynamic than the body, constantly remodeling itself based on usage frequency. The rich words of people who read regularly aren’t just results of effort.
They’re results of physically maintaining language circuits in the brain every day.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the truth that intellectual richness is maintained through small daily accumulations. In our era of reading short social media posts and spending time on video content, the value of time spent reading books carefully stands out.
If you feel your words lack depth, it might not be a problem with your ability. You might simply be lacking the nutrition that is reading.
Even ten minutes a day or one page before bed is fine. By continuing, your words will definitely change.
What’s especially important is viewing reading not as an obligation but as an investment in yourself. Reading books enriches your future conversations, deepens your relationships, and increases your persuasiveness at work.
These are changes that are hard to see, but they definitely shape your appeal as a person.
Starting today, why not open a book instead of your smartphone during commute time or breaks? The warning from our ancestors that “if you don’t read books for three days, your words lose their flavor” is also a message of hope.
It means “if you keep reading, your words will keep shining.”
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