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Learning Japanese

Japanese Proverbs & Sayings

Uso mo Hōben



Last update March 25, 2019

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Telling a lie can also be a useful method.

Uso mo Hōben

嘘も方便

Words: 嘘 Uso = a lie / も mo = also; joshi particle meaning "also, as well." / 方便 Hōben = a method; means

Pronunciation: [woo-saw-moh-hoh-awe-beh-n] 

English Equivalent: a white lie / The end justifies the means.

Notes: Telling the truth is not necessarily the best way since the truth can sometimes be so cruel. So, lying can be one means of making people happy and attaining the desired result. Why did you lie to him saying everyone loved him? -- Because it's Uso mo Hōben, which encouraged him to be generous and made a huge donation.
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