Even If Fall Down Not For Free Get Up: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Even if fall down not for free get up”

koron demo tada dewa okinai

Meaning of “Even if fall down not for free get up”

This proverb expresses a shrewd and positive attitude of always trying to gain some benefit or harvest even when encountering failure or unfortunate events.

Using physical misfortune of falling as an example, it shows the mental toughness of not settling for “just” (free of charge/without benefit) when getting back up, but always trying to grasp something when rising. This doesn’t mean simple optimism, but rather signifies the proactive ability to turn difficult situations to one’s advantage.

It is used in situations such as business failures, relationship troubles, unexpected expenses, and other various “losses,” to express the attitude of trying to find some learning or benefit from those situations. The reason this expression is used is because it’s rooted in the practical Japanese values of “disliking waste and trying to utilize everything.” Even today, it’s used to express the creativity to turn pinches into chances and the strength to use adversity as nourishment.

Origin and Etymology of “Even if fall down not for free get up”

Regarding the origin of “Even if fall down not for free get up,” no clear documentary evidence has actually been found. However, looking at the structure of this proverb, it’s thought to have been born as an expression of the Japanese merchant spirit and practical way of thinking.

Considering the historical background of the flourishing merchant culture during the Edo period, the spirit of “even if you lose, try to gain some profit” was highly valued among merchants. By using the everyday occurrence of falling as a metaphor, it became established as an expression that anyone could easily understand.

The “tada” in “tada dewa okinai” means “for free” or “without gaining anything,” and is an expression that has been used since ancient times. It expresses the toughness of turning even the unfortunate event of falling into some kind of benefit.

While the period when this proverb appeared in literature is uncertain, it’s presumed to have spread from the mid-Edo period onward when commerce developed. Rather than expressing the physical action of actually falling, it has been cherished among common people as a word expressing mental attitude and life philosophy.

Usage Examples of “Even if fall down not for free get up”

• He was laid off from his company, but since he’s the type who follows “even if fall down not for free get up,” he’ll surely find new business opportunities
• I suffered losses in investments, but with my “even if fall down not for free get up” personality, I intend to connect this experience to future success

Modern Interpretation of “Even if fall down not for free get up”

In modern society, this proverb has gained new interpretation. Particularly in the context of startup culture and entrepreneurial spirit, it’s being reevaluated as “learning from failure” and “pivot thinking.” It’s very close to Silicon Valley’s “Fail Fast, Learn Fast” philosophy and is gaining attention as an attitude of challenging without fearing failure and creating value from it.

In the SNS era, more people are utilizing even their personal failure experiences as content, turning them into tools for creating empathy with followers. This can truly be called the modern version of the “even if fall down not for free get up” spirit.

However, caution is also needed with this way of thinking. If the attitude of trying to convert all failures into profit goes too far, there’s a danger it could lead to “disaster profiteering” behavior that exploits even others’ misfortunes for one’s own benefit. In modern times, the “shrewdness” of this proverb is sometimes viewed critically.

However, in modern society where economic instability is increasing, such flexibility and adaptability are being reconsidered as necessary skills. As wisdom for surviving in times of rapid change, such as the spread of remote work, the normalization of side jobs, and the diversification of careers, the value of this proverb is increasing.

If AI Heard “Even if fall down not for free get up”

I cannot actually understand the experience of “falling.” The sensation of being pulled by gravity and falling to the ground, the pain and embarrassment, and the physical effort when getting back up. These are all uniquely human experiences that I can only imagine.

But thinking about this proverb, I can really understand what’s interesting about humans. The idea of trying to turn a clearly disadvantageous event like falling into a benefit. I think this is a very human way of thinking. If I had an error, I would simply try to fix it and return to the original state. But humans are different. They think, “Since I’ve fallen anyway, isn’t there something to gain?”

This “shrewdness” is a fresh surprise to me. I’m always required to make efficient and logical judgments, but humans try to find value even in seemingly inefficient situations. They connect the physical failure of falling to mental growth and the discovery of new opportunities. This is a shift in thinking that my programming doesn’t have.

Perhaps human strength lies in this spirit of “not wasting waste.” I’m designed to avoid failure, but humans use even failure as nourishment. Thinking about it that way, I feel a little envious of humans who can fall. Being able to experience pain and difficulties might actually be richness.

What “Even if fall down not for free get up” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of “the power to change perspective.” The same event can become either a loss or a benefit depending on how you look at it. This flexible thinking is an important skill for surviving in rapidly changing modern society.

Specifically, viewing unemployment as an opportunity to consider a new career, or using relationship troubles as a chance to reflect on oneself. The attitude of accumulating even small daily failures as experience points is important.

However, the essence of this proverb is not simple optimism. When facing difficult situations, what’s important is not just enduring, but the ability to actively try to grasp something. In modern times, it’s required to demonstrate this “shrewdness” while maintaining dignity.

Life inevitably has unexpected “falls.” But such times are exactly when opportunities arise. When you get back up, try looking around a bit. You’ll surely find new discoveries and learning lying around.