井の中の蛙

i no naka no kawa

idiom★Intermediate

literary

A frog in a well; a person with limited knowledge or experience, often due to being isolated or narrow-minded.

井の中の蛙大海を知らず

A frog in a well knows nothing of the great ocean.

彼は井の中の蛙で、世界の広さを理解していない

He is like a frog in a well, unaware of the vastness of the world.

💡

This idiom emphasizes the importance of broadening one's perspective and gaining diverse experiences.

Synonyms

蛙の子は蛙proverb

Like father, like son

This idiom reflects traditional Japanese values of humility and the importance of learning from others.

The phrase originates from the idea of a frog living in a well, which can only see a small portion of the sky, symbolizing limited perspective.

This idiom is often used to criticize someone's narrow-mindedness or lack of exposure to different ideas.

井の中

inside a well

phrase

蛙

frog

noun

✎ Noted on May 31, 2026JA → EN