It is just like English sayings and phrases, there are Japanese sayings and phrases as well. It is called [kotowaza ことわざ].

What is the KOTOWAZA?

Kotowaza is the Japanese saying/phrases which expresses people’s wisdom and it has been told by many people from long time ago. And it is an example of something and a teachings of the life.

Today’s kotowaza

虻蜂とらず・ABU HACHI TORAZU (TORANAI)

The Origin

The spider tried to catch a horsefly and a bee that were stuck at a spiderweb, ended up loosing the both.

Its meaning

Attempting two tasks at the same time, accomplishing neither. Trying to get two at the same time, losing both.

 Fall between two stools／chase two hares and catch neither

How to use it

欲張っていると虻蜂取らずに終わってしまうぞ

Yokubatte iruto abu hachi torazu ni owatte shimau zo

If you are too greedy, you’ll end up with nothing at all.

The opposite phrase

一石二鳥（いっせきにちょう/isseki ni chou). 一挙両得　（いっきょりょうとく/ikkyoryoto）ーKill two birds with one stone

arigato