This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

他山の石

Reading

Kana: たざんのいし
Romaji: tazannoishi
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

lesson learned from someone's else mistake; object lesson; food for thought; stones from other mountains (can be used to polish one's own gems)

See also: 他山の石以て玉を攻むべし

Kanji

Readings: タ、 ほか
Meanings: other, another, the others
Readings: サン、 セン、 やま
Meaning: mountain
Readings: セキ、 シャク、 コク、 いし
Meaning: stone

Example Sentence

他山(たざん)(いし)とする。
➥The fault of another is a good teacher.
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