覆水盆に返らず

ふくすいぼんにかえらず

Also written 覆水盆に帰らず

Meanings

1. Expression what's done is done; it is no use crying over spilt milk (literally: spilt water won't go back into its tray)

Kanji

• 覆 cover. Read as フク.
• 水 water. Read as スイ.
• 盆 tray. Read as ボン.
• 返 give back. Read as かえす.

Example sentences

• 覆水盆に返らず。
  What is done cannot be undone.

Word lists

• Proverbs

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists