Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
覆水盆に返らず. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
覆水盆に返らず, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
覆水盆に返らず in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
覆水盆に返らず you have here. The definition of the word
覆水盆に返らず will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
覆水盆に返らず, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Etymology
Partial calque of Literary Chinese 覆水難收 (fùshuǐnánshōu, literally “It is hard to retrieve spilt water”). Originally read as 覆水収め難し (fukusui osame-gatashi) in kanbun kundoku.
This form literally means "spilt water does not return to the basin". The back-formation of this form in pseudo-kanbun would be 覆水不返盆.
Pronunciation
Proverb
覆水盆に返らず • (fukusui bon ni kaerazu)
- Once a married couple divorce, they cannot reconcile.
- don't cry over spilt milk.
Synonyms