背に腹は代えられない
se ni hara wa kaerarenai
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Translating...
needs must, there is no other choice
/se ni haɾa wa kaeɾaɾenai/
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A painful sacrifice is unavoidable to protect what matters more.
Examples
家賃を払うために車を売った。背に腹は代えられない。
I sold my car to pay the rent. There was no other choice.
人員削減は避けたかったが、会社を残すには背に腹は代えられない。
We wanted to avoid layoffs, but to keep the company alive, there was no other choice.
店を守るため営業時間を縮める。背に腹は代えられない。
We are shortening opening hours to save the shop. Needs must.
締め切りに間に合わせるには計画を減らすしかない。背に腹は代えられない。
To meet the deadline, we have to cut part of the plan. There is no other choice.
治療費のため貯金を崩したが、背に腹は代えられない。
I used my savings for treatment, but there was no other choice.
Meanings
Examples
家賃を払うために車を売った。背に腹は代えられない。
I sold my car to pay the rent. There was no other choice.
店を守るため営業時間を縮める。背に腹は代えられない。
We are shortening opening hours to save the shop. Needs must.
治療費のため貯金を崩したが、背に腹は代えられない。
I used my savings for treatment, but there was no other choice.
締め切りに間に合わせるには計画を減らすしかない。背に腹は代えられない。
To meet the deadline, we have to cut part of the plan. There is no other choice.
人員削減は避けたかったが、会社を残すには背に腹は代えられない。
We wanted to avoid layoffs, but to keep the company alive, there was no other choice.
Etymology
Literally “one cannot trade the back for the belly.” The proverb uses the two body parts to contrast a lesser loss with a vital need.
FAQ
What does 背に腹は代えられない mean?
A painful sacrifice is unavoidable to protect what matters more.
How do you read 背に腹は代えられない?
It is read せにはらはかえられない, written se ni hara wa kaerarenai.
When would you use 背に腹は代えられない?
Said to justify an unwelcome loss when a more urgent need leaves no acceptable alternative.
How is 背に腹は代えられない different from やむを得ない?
やむを得ない says something cannot be avoided; this proverb adds the trade-off between a lesser loss and a vital need.
How does 背に腹は代えられない change in a sentence?
A fixed proverb, commonly said as a complete sentence after explaining the difficult choice.
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