Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Kanji Vocab
    3. 棒ほど願って針ほど叶う

    棒ほど願って針ほど叶う

    棒ぼうほ​ど​願ねがっ​て​針はりほ​ど​叶かなう​

    you can't always get what you want

    NTVerbCulture & TraditionsKanji Vocab66 strokes

    ぼうほどねがってはりほどかなう

    Verb

    1.
    you can't always get what you want, man plans and God laughs, things don't always turn out the way you hope
    proverb

    Stroke 0 / 66

    Speed1.0x

    Characters that make up this word

    棒
    rod・stick・cane・pole・club…(1)
    Kanji
    願
    ねが.う・-ねがい…(2)
    petition・request・vow・wish・hope
    Kanji
    針
    はり…(2)
    needle・pin・staple・stinger
    Kanji
    叶
    かな.える・かな.う…(3)
    grant・answer
    Kanji
    ほ
    ho
    Kana
    ど
    do
    Kana
    っ
    small tsu
    Kana
    て
    te
    Kana
    う
    u
    Kana
    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    Used in vocabulary

    • 棒
    • 願
    • 針
    • 叶
    • ほ
    • ど
    • っ
    • て
    • う

    Explore more

    Kanji Vocab dictionary›Browse all entries›