How to Read “If you try hard enough, even a male monkey will get pregnant”
Tamatama koto wo sureba osu-zaru ga haramu
Meaning of “If you try hard enough, even a male monkey will get pregnant”
This proverb means that even if you pretend something is possible by chance, truly impossible things will never happen.
It uses the image of a male monkey getting pregnant, which is biologically impossible, as a symbol for things that can never occur no matter how hard you try.
People use this saying when someone makes reckless plans or tries to achieve something clearly impossible by relying on luck or coincidence.
It also serves as a warning that things going against natural laws or common sense cannot be realized, no matter what methods you use.
While we rarely hear this proverb today, its meaning remains relevant. It cautions against forcing impossible things and teaches the importance of facing reality.
Origin and Etymology
Unfortunately, no clear historical records exist showing when this proverb first appeared in literature. However, we can make interesting observations from its structure.
The phrase “tamatama koto wo suru” suggests pretending something is coincidental or forcibly attempting something impossible.
The expression “a male monkey getting pregnant” symbolizes something biologically impossible. A male monkey becoming pregnant violates natural laws, making it the clearest possible metaphor for impossibility.
Many Japanese proverbs feature animals. Monkeys have appeared in various folk tales since ancient times as creatures close to humans.
Using monkeys to express impossibility adds humor to this proverb.
Overall, this saying expresses the truth that “impossible is impossible” in a humorous yet striking way.
It embodies our ancestors’ calm observation that you cannot bend natural laws or common sense, even by pretending things are coincidental.
Usage Examples
- Trying to make this project a huge success without any budget is like “If you try hard enough, even a male monkey will get pregnant”
- Thinking you can perform perfectly without preparation or practice is just like “If you try hard enough, even a male monkey will get pregnant”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb teaches us how much humans want to believe in “miracles” and “coincidences.”
Sometimes we think optimistically that things will work out somehow, even while neglecting effort and preparation.
Or we hold faint hopes that luck or chance will help us, even with clearly impossible goals.
But our ancestors saw through this human weakness. By using the powerful metaphor of a male monkey getting pregnant, they conveyed a harsh truth.
Natural laws and common sense cannot be changed by human convenience or wishes.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t simply say “it’s impossible.” It adds the condition “if you try hard enough.”
This accurately captures human cunning in pretending things are coincidental to force the impossible, or the weakness of trying to compensate for poor preparation with luck.
Humans are creatures of hope, but we also need the calm ability to face reality.
This proverb teaches us, with humor, the wisdom to distinguish between pursuing dreams and making reckless attempts. Human nature hasn’t changed for thousands of years.
When AI Hears This
In probability theory, even a one-in-a-trillion chance theoretically occurs once if you try a trillion times.
But the probability of a male monkey getting pregnant is zero. No matter how many times you try, zero times anything equals zero.
So the “coincidence” this proverb describes isn’t about simple probability.
Here’s where it gets interesting: there’s a phenomenon called the observer effect.
In quantum mechanics, the act of observing itself changes the subject. For example, when you try to measure an electron’s position, the light used for measurement hits the electron and changes its state.
In other words, the act of observing influences the result.
If we interpret this proverb through the observer effect, repeatedly trying something isn’t just accumulating attempts.
It becomes a force that transforms the entire system. As you keep trying with the male monkey, the environment changes, conditions change, or your perception and methods change.
As a result, the framework that was initially “biologically impossible” might collapse.
In other words, what makes the impossible possible isn’t probability, but the “system change” born from continuous challenge.
Lessons for Today
In modern society, social media and mass media tend to highlight “miraculous successes” and “lucky coincidences.”
But this proverb reminds us of something important. Truly valuable results only come when steady preparation meets proper conditions.
When you try something new, remember this proverb. Pursuing dreams is wonderful, but you also need a calm eye to judge whether those dreams are achievable.
Rather than forcing impossible things, think about what’s needed for realization and arrange conditions one by one.
This steady approach is the true path to success.
At the same time, this proverb teaches us not to fear failure too much.
By asking yourself “Is this like If you try hard enough, even a male monkey will get pregnant?” you can distinguish between truly impossible things and things possible with effort.
Give up gracefully where you should give up, and pour all your energy where you should challenge. You can develop this kind of wise judgment too.
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