Yanagi ni yukiore nashi
Snow does not break the willow.
Japanese proverb
The willow’s flexible branches stand for an ability to yield under pressure. The proverb suggests that flexibility can outlast rigidity. It is a metaphor, not a guarantee about trees or winter weather.
Language note: 柳 (やなぎ / yanagi) is willow; 雪折れ (ゆきおれ / yukiore) means breaking under the weight of snow. なし means there is none.
Where could a little flexibility help?
Practice:
状況に合わせて、やり方を変えよう。
Jōkyō ni awasete, yarikata o kaeyō.
Let’s adapt our approach to the situation.
Source:
Shogakukan Digital Daijisen via Kotobank: https://kotobank.jp/word/柳に雪折れ無し-648800
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