損して得取れ
Son shite toku tore.
Accept a short-term loss to secure a larger future gain.
Traditional Japanese proverb
This business proverb weighs a temporary cost against a larger, lasting benefit. A small loss now can help build something more valuable over time.
Why today: TIFFCOM, the film and audiovisual content market, runs October 28–30 in 2026. Its middle day provides a concrete business setting for weighing immediate cost against durable value.
Language note: 損 (そん / son) is a loss; 得 (とく / toku) is a gain or benefit. The imperative 取れ (とれ / tore) says to take or secure the longer-term gain.
A sound long-term choice may look inefficient in the very first transaction.
Practice:
目先の損より、長い目で考える。
Mesaki no son yori, nagai me de kangaeru.
Look beyond the immediate loss and think for the long term.
Sources:
Kanjipedia — 損して得取れ: https://www.kanjipedia.jp/kotoba/0004388300
Kotobank — 損して得取れ: https://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%90%8D%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E5%BE%97%E5%8F%96%E3%82%8C-555906
TIFFCOM 2026 — visitor information: https://tiffcom.jp/visitor/
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