折れるよりはたわむがまさる。

折れるよりはたわむがまさる。

Better bend than break.

折(お)れるよりはたわむがまさる。

Oreru yori wa tawamu ga masaru.

折れる (おれる)

to break; to be broken; to snap; to fracture; to be folded; to give in; to back down; to yield; to submit; to turn (a corner)

より (より)

than; from; out of; since; at; on; except; but; other than; more

は (は)

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

撓む (たわむ)

to bend; to warp

が (が)

indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; still; and

勝る (まさる)

to excel; to surpass; to exceed; to have an edge; to be superior; to outrival; to outweigh; to preponderate

Readings: セツ、お.る、おり、お.り、 -お.り、お.れる

Meanings: fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit