華を去り実に就く

Japanese

Kanji in this term
華	去	実	就
か Grade: S	さ Grade: 3	じつ Grade: 3	つ Grade: 6
on’yomi	kun’yomi	on’yomi	kun’yomi

Alternative spelling
華を去り實に就く (kyūjitai)

Etymology

Literally, taking the fruit and leaving the flower.

Verb

華(か)を去(さ)り実(じつ)に就(つ)く • (ka o sari jitsu ni tsuku) godan (stem 華(か)を去(さ)り実(じつ)に就(つ)き (ka o sari jitsu ni tsuki), past 華(か)を去(さ)り実(じつ)に就(つ)いた (ka o sari jitsu ni tsuita))

1. (idiomatic) Avoiding vanity or a showy appearance in oneself or in objects, such as by wearing plain clothes rather than gaudy clothes or driving a practical car rather than a sports car. Simplicity over vanity.