JMdict: 2416670

一寸の虫にも五分の魂 【いっすんのむしにもごぶのたましい】

  1. [exp] tread on a worm and it will turn; even a tiny bug will defend itself; even the weakest and smallest beings have their own wills, so do not make light of them
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Kanji in this word:

Kanji Meanings On Readings Kun Readings Grade
一 One, One Radical (no.1) イチ, イツ ひと-, ひと.つ 1
寸 Measurement, Tenth Of A Shaku, A Little, Small スン 6
虫 Insect, Bug, Temper チュウ, キ むし 1
五 Five ゴ いつ, いつ.つ 1
分 Part, Minute Of Time, Segment, Share, Degree, One's Lot, Duty, Understand, Know, Rate, 1%, Chances, Shaku/100 ブン, フン, ブ わ.ける, わ.け, わ.かれる, わ.かる, わ.かつ 2
魂 Soul, Spirit コン たましい, たま