Nana korobi ya oki: Fall Seven Times, Get Up Eight

The Japanese proverb “Nana korobi ya oki”, written as 七転び八起き, conveys the idea of falling seven times and getting up eight. Widely recognised in Japan as a symbol of perseverance, it teaches that failures, unexpected changes and hardships do not bring a journey to an end; instead, they can become opportunities to learn and start afresh.

What is the origin of “Nana korobi ya oki”?

The phrase is made up of characters connected with the numbers seven and eight, the act of falling, and the movement of getting up. Its literal translation is “fall seven times, get up eight”, while its figurative meaning is to keep going until the goal is reached and to accept life’s ups and downs.

It is not advice to disregard difficulties or persist blindly. Rather, the proverb highlights the ability to recover, consider what has happened, and continue with greater understanding than before.

Why get up eight times after falling seven?

The difference between the numbers should not be read as an exact calculation. Symbolically, it stresses that there should always be one more fresh start than the number of falls, making recovery the final action in the sequence.

Its message can be understood through several principles:

• One defeat does not have to determine the final outcome;
• Starting again is also part of making progress;
• Mistakes can show what needs to change;
• Perseverance does not mean every attempt must be identical;
• Getting up can mean adapting the plan and taking a different route.

When is the Japanese proverb “Nana korobi ya oki” used?

The expression is used in circumstances involving failure, recovery and sustained effort. It may be said after failing an exam, losing an opportunity, working on a project that did not succeed, or during any period when someone needs to rebuild their confidence.

The teaching is particularly relevant to experiences such as:

• Trying again after making a mistake;
• Returning to study after an unsatisfactory result;
• Restructuring a project that did not go to plan;
• Adjusting to a professional or personal change;
• Acknowledging limits without completely abandoning an objective.

How does experience change the way we deal with a fall?

People who have faced a range of difficulties often realise that paths are rarely entirely straightforward. Maturity does not prevent setbacks, but it can help someone identify patterns, seek support, amend decisions, and tell the difference between persistence and unproductive repetition.

This attitude is also reflected in everyday choices, where observing an outcome and adjusting behaviour is often more helpful than following a rigid rule. Even simple decisions, such as recognising when a habit needs to be adapted to the right circumstances, show that experience involves careful testing, evaluation and correction.

Every setback can become part of the journey

The Japanese proverb does not portray suffering as desirable, nor does it promise that every attempt will end in success. Its strength lies in reminding us that a fall does not erase the knowledge gained, and that getting up can take different forms, including trying again, changing strategy, or choosing a more suitable direction.

Over the years, many people stop viewing failures solely as interruptions and begin to see them as formative stages. “Fall seven times, get up eight” captures this experience: the path is defined not by the absence of setbacks, but by the ability to carry on after them.