可愛い子には旅をさせよ

Japanese

Kanji in this term
可	愛	子	旅
か Grade: 5	あい > わい Grade: 4	こ Grade: 1	たび Grade: 3
on'yomi	irregular	kun'yomi	kun'yomi

Alternative spelling
かわいい子には旅をさせよ

Etymology

Literally, "send your beloved child on a journey" (i.e. let them experience hardship).

Idiom

可(か)愛(わい)い子(こ)には旅(たび)をさせよ • (kawaii ko ni wa tabi o saseyo) 

1. spare the rod and spoil the child

Synonyms

• 獅(し)子(し)の子(こ)落(お)とし (shishi no ko otoshi)