読書百遍意自ずから通ず Dokusho hyappen, i onozukara tsūzu. Read a text a hundred times and its meaning will become clear.
Traditional proverb of Chinese origin used in Japanese
A difficult passage can become clearer when you return to it patiently. This proverb values the understanding that grows through rereading. Japan’s Reading Week runs from October 27 to November 9.
Why this date: A Saturday just before Reading Week gives readers time to try the proverb's repeated-reading practice.
Language note: 読書 (どくしょ / dokusho) is reading; 百遍 (ひゃっぺん / hyappen) means a hundred times; 意 (い / i) is meaning; 自ずから (おのずから / onozukara) means naturally; 通ず (つうず / tsūzu) means become understood.
Repetition can reveal structure that a first reading cannot.
DJW practice example: 難しい本も、繰り返し読んでみる。 Muzukashii hon mo, kurikaeshi yonde miru. Try reading a difficult book repeatedly.
Sources: Kotobank — 読書百遍意自ずから通ず: https://kotobank.jp/word/%E8%AA%AD%E6%9B%B8%E7%99%BE%E9%81%8D%E6%84%8F%E8%87%AA%E3%81%9A%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E9%80%9A%E3%81%9A-2236282 Gunma Prefecture — 2026 Reading Week: https://www.pref.gunma.jp/site/houdou/777958.html