Enrich your heart with beautiful four-character idioms! A collection of expressions you'll want to use in everyday life.
Among the four-character idioms that have blended into everyday life—such as “ōka ranman” (cherry blossoms in full splendor) and “kachō fūgetsu” (the beauties of nature)—there are many whose beauty can move you deeply.
These are not mere strings of words; they distill Japanese aesthetics, wisdom, and even life philosophy.
In this article, we introduce accessible four-character idioms chosen for their beautiful meanings and captivating sound.
You’re sure to encounter charming expressions that resonate with your heart.
Try using your favorite idioms in various situations!
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Enrich your heart with beautiful four-character idioms! Expressions you'll want to use in daily life (11–20)
Elegant yet substantial; refinement and substance in harmonious balance.
It is a four-character idiom that describes the beautiful harmony of sincerity in one’s heart with outward manners and cultivation.
“Learning” refers to scholarship and etiquette, while “substance” points to an honest, simple essence; when both sides are kept in balance, a person’s character is elevated.
A figure who embodies both virtue and culture is considered the ideal, and this word has come to symbolize that ideal.
Without leaning to one side, the importance of having the inner and outer resonate with each other also leads to trust in human relationships and society.
It is a saying about the ideal way a person should be—one that still speaks to people today.
profound and vastNEW!
It’s a highly refined four-character idiom that simultaneously conveys the depth and breadth of thought, scholarship, and the spiritual realm.
Rather than superficial knowledge, it communicates deeply probed reflection and an embracing expansiveness that knows no bounds.
It’s also an apt expression for evaluating a person’s way of thinking or philosophy, as well as a long-cultivated attitude toward inquiry, and it lends intellectual gravity when used in writing.
It suits situations where you want to express grandeur in terms of quality rather than quantity, and I felt it is a word that, though quiet, leaves a strong impression.
a sweeping view as far as the eye can seeNEW!
It’s a refreshing four-character idiom that seems to put the very widening of one’s field of view into words.
It means “to see as far as a thousand li at a single glance.” It is used to describe grand vistas unobstructed by anything—like views from a high place or mountaintop, vast plains, or the open sea.
Beyond simple description of a scene, it can also serve as a metaphor for foresight or breadth of vision.
The neat form of the characters combined with the large-scale imagery creates a sense of openness when woven into writing.
It’s an effective expression when you want to convey grandeur or clear outlook.
flawless and naturalNEW!
The word “ten’imuhō” refers to something that is natural, yet complete and beautiful.
It’s pronounced ten-i-mu-hō.
The term originates from a story in the Chinese short story collection Lingguai Lu.
In the tale, a beautiful weaving maiden descends from the heavens, and the robe she wears has no seams at all—natural and beautiful.
Ten’imuhō also carries the meaning of being pure and unaffected, like grand, awe-inspiring nature that captivates us simply by existing, and it can be used to describe someone with an unadorned, natural personality.
magnanimous in spirit; grand in visionNEW!
It is introduced in a very striking way as a four-character idiom that succinctly expresses the grandeur of one’s spirit and the scale of one’s ideas.
Its appeal lies in how it conveys not only the sense of having big dreams, but also an unshakable mindset and a far-sighted perspective.
I can clearly see how using it in character evaluations, speeches, or when discussing goals adds persuasiveness and dignity to one’s words.
Among expressions that denote grandeur, it stands out as a phrase that focuses on inner strength and high aspiration, making it highly practical and memorable.
Once-in-a-lifetime encounter
Let me introduce the four-character idiom often associated with the tea ceremony: ichigo ichie.
This phrase means that each encounter or opportunity happens only once in a lifetime, and in the tea ceremony one is taught to approach a gathering with that mindset.
When we think, “We’ll meet again,” or “There will surely be another chance,” our attitude and words tend to become careless.
But if we treat it as ichigo ichie, we naturally aim to respond with sincerity and care.
It’s precisely in our task-driven modern era that this is a four-character idiom worth remembering.
Enrich your heart with beautiful four-character idioms! A collection of expressions you'll want to use in daily life (21–30)
Snow, Moon, Wind, and Flowers
@hjc.aki [Setsugetsufūka] Snow, moon, wind, and flowers—an expression that collectively refers to the beautiful scenery of nature. A phrase that evokes beautiful winter landscapes. It’s a word I like, though I’m not good with the cold lol.Snow, Moon, Wind, FlowersWinterCalligrapherCalligraphyTranslation
♬ Kaede – Ryuta Shibuya
These words—snow, moon, wind, and flower—evoke the beautiful scenery of the four seasons.
They embody a distinctly Japanese sensibility that delights in the passage of nature and appreciates the unique charm of each season.
Gently falling snow, the moon hanging in the night sky, a pleasantly blowing breeze, and flowers blooming in spring—this expression reminds us of the importance of pausing to savor the world around us, even amid busy days.
For example, simply noticing the cherry blossoms on your way to school or the hues of the evening sky can bring a moment of calm.
As we attune ourselves to landscapes that change with the seasons, we also bring our hearts into balance.
It is a refined and beautiful four-character idiom that calls to mind such intentional, graceful moments.