背に腹は替えられぬ

せにはらはかえられぬ

Also written 背に腹はかえられぬ, 背に腹は代えられぬ, 背に腹は変えられぬ

Meanings

1. Expression you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs; a small sacrifice may be necessary to solve a more pressing problem See also: 背に腹は変えられない (せにはらはかえられない).

Kanji

• 背 back. Read as せ.
• 腹 belly. Read as はら.
• 替 replace. Read as かえ.

Word lists

• Proverbs

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists