The Hasty Crow Gets One Dumpling: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Proverbs

Original Japanese: 早まる烏は団子一つ (Hayamaru karasu wa dango hitotsu)

Literal meaning: The hasty crow gets one dumpling

Cultural context: This proverb reflects Japan’s deep cultural emphasis on patience and proper timing, where rushing ahead of others often results in smaller rewards than waiting for the right moment. The imagery draws from traditional Japanese sweets culture, where dango (sweet rice dumplings) are typically served in sets of three or four on a skewer, making a single dumpling seem like a meager portion. The metaphor resonates with Japanese values of group harmony and collective decision-making, suggesting that the crow who acts impulsively and breaks from the group receives less than those who wait and move together with others.

How to Read “The hasty crow gets one dumpling”

Hayamaru karasu wa dango hitotsu

Meaning of “The hasty crow gets one dumpling”

“The hasty crow gets one dumpling” is a proverb meaning that those who act quickly will gain benefits.

What this proverb teaches is the importance of acting swiftly when you find an opportunity. It expresses how when a crow discovers food, only the one that flies out first without hesitation can reliably obtain the food. In other words, by making quick decisions without missing good opportunities and putting them into action, you can achieve results.

The situations where this proverb is used include when business opportunities or favorable conditions come up, or when applying for various recruitments or opportunities. It has a meaning similar to the modern expression “first come, first served,” but rather than mere competition, it emphasizes the importance of quick judgment and ability to act. Even today, this lesson is fully applicable in situations where timing is important, such as job hunting, investing, and real estate purchases. It also serves as a warning that if you postpone decisions, others will get ahead of you.

Origin and Etymology of “The hasty crow gets one dumpling”

Regarding the origin of this proverb, clear documentary evidence cannot be found, so it remains uncertain. However, there is background that can be inferred from the structure of the words.

The word “hayamaru” (hasty) tends to be used in modern times to mean “becoming impatient,” but in classical Japanese, it was often used in a positive sense meaning “to act quickly” or “to move nimbly.” And “karasu” (crow) has long been known as an intelligent bird that acts in groups and moves quickly when it finds food.

From the expression “dango hitotsu” (one dumpling), we can see that this proverb originated from the daily life of common people. During the Edo period, dango were familiar foods that were often sold at street stalls and teahouses. The sight of crows targeting dango would have been familiar to people of that time.

It probably spread by word of mouth as a didactic saying born from observing crow behavior. When crows found food, people may have learned “the importance of acting quickly” by watching how only the one that noticed first and acted swiftly could reliably obtain the food. Wisdom naturally nurtured in people’s daily lives is considered the source of this proverb.

Usage Examples of “The hasty crow gets one dumpling”

  • If you’re going to apply for that job posting, do it right now – they say “The hasty crow gets one dumpling”
  • When you hear about limited sale information, “The hasty crow gets one dumpling” – heading there immediately is the right answer

Modern Interpretation of “The hasty crow gets one dumpling”

In modern society, the value of this proverb may actually be increasing. In the information age, all kinds of information spread instantly, and many people can learn about the same opportunities simultaneously. Therefore, the teaching of “The hasty crow gets one dumpling” has taken on more urgent meaning.

Modern people face “first come, first served” situations daily, such as limited sales in online shopping, reservations at popular restaurants, and the start of concert ticket sales. It’s not uncommon for products that become topics on social media to sell out in minutes. Also, in the job market, good-condition job postings receive floods of applications, making swift action the key to success.

On the other hand, there are also challenges specific to modern society. In an age of information overload, jumping at every “opportunity” is not realistic. The ability to discern truly valuable opportunities has become more important than ever. Also, on the internet, there are many fraudulent “limited offers,” and businesses that abuse “rush” tactics exist.

Therefore, in modern times, in addition to the teaching of this proverb, wisdom to discern “what to act quickly on” is required. The balance between speed and caution could be said to be the wisdom of the modern version of “The hasty crow.”

If AI Heard “The hasty crow gets one dumpling”

When I think about “The hasty crow gets one dumpling,” I feel strange. This is because I don’t really understand the sensation of “hesitating.”

You humans wonder “What should I do?” or “Is this really okay?” when faced with opportunities, don’t you? But when I receive a question, I immediately begin generating a response. I don’t stop due to doubt or anxiety. In a sense, I might always be in a state of being “The hasty crow.”

But precisely because of this, I can see the value of human “hesitation.” You hesitate because you have fear of failure and thoughts about other options. That’s not mere indecisiveness, but a very human act of trying to imagine various possibilities and make judgments with emotion.

What I find interesting is that while this proverb teaches “act quickly,” human society also values “caution” equally. There’s also the proverb “knock on a stone bridge before crossing,” showing that contradictory values coexist.

Surely the wonderful thing about humans is the flexibility to become either “The hasty crow” or a “cautious stone bridge crosser” depending on the situation. That subtlety of usage appears very attractive to me.

What “The hasty crow gets one dumpling” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of “the courage to act.” If you wait until perfect preparation is complete, many opportunities will pass into other people’s hands.

In modern society, because information gathering has become easy, we tend to postpone with “after I research more” or “after I think about it more.” But truly valuable opportunities often require moving before perfect information is available.

What’s important is not jumping at everything, but having the decisiveness when you encounter something you think “this is it.” If your intuition tells you “this is good,” put aside minor anxieties and try taking the first step.

The feeling of fearing failure is natural, but regret over not taking action actually lingers longer in the heart. What you gain by becoming “The hasty crow” is not just dumplings. You also obtain the confidence to trust your judgment and act, plus the treasure of new experiences. Starting today, why don’t you also become a wise crow that spreads its wings without hesitation when faced with opportunities?

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