Mottainai: Embracing the Japanese Concept of Regret and Modesty

A frequently-used Japanese adjective phrase, “Mottainai,” has basically two meanings. The first meaning is an expression of regret for when things that are still functioning and useful are lost or discarded. It is similar to saying, "What a waste!" There are various situations in which we, as Japanese, frequently feel this sentiment even without explicitly putting it into words. This feeling may arise because we have been metaphorically taught that life or divine spirit resides in everything. The second meaning of "Mottainai" is akin to saying, "That's waste on me." In Japan, modesty is considered a virtue. For example, when we receive a gift from someone who outranks us socially, we say "Mottainai" to express that we feel the honor bestowed upon us is more than we deserve. As for myself, I strive to take good care of things to avoid saying "Mottainai" as much as I can.

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